By Abdullahi Inuwa
In a decisive move to safeguard critical nutrition interventions, the Katsina State Government has established a specialized task force to monitor and prevent the diversion and unauthorized sale of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and other essential nutritional commodities meant for children battling malnutrition.
The initiative was unveiled by Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, during the launch of the state’s annual SMART nutrition survey—a project supported by UNICEF. Dr. Yahaya raised alarm over the illegal trade of RUTF, a high-nutrient paste designed to treat severe acute malnutrition, despite its free distribution through government and donor programs.
Describing the situation as “alarming and unacceptable,” Dr. Yahaya emphasized the critical purpose of these life-saving supplies. “These items are not for sale—they are meant to save the lives of our most at-risk children. To put an end to this abuse, we are deploying task forces in every local government area and will introduce mobile courts to bring offenders to justice,” he stated.
This development is part of Katsina State’s broader campaign to combat malnutrition using evidence-based approaches and multi-sectoral collaboration. According to Dr. Yahaya, the fight against malnutrition goes beyond health alone and now includes coordinated efforts across sectors such as agriculture, education, and women’s affairs.
Backing its commitment with funding, the state government has steadily increased its financial support for nutrition programs. In 2023, Katsina allocated ₦200 million as a counterpart fund for UNICEF-backed initiatives, followed by ₦300 million in 2024. For 2025, the government has proposed ₦500 million, which UNICEF is expected to match—bringing the total investment in nutrition programming to ₦1 billion.
This strengthened financial commitment and the formation of the anti-diversion task force mark a significant step toward ensuring that every malnourished child in Katsina receives the life-saving nutrition they need—without compromise.
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