In a bold move to combat severe acute malnutrition among children, the Katsina State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has injected a staggering N400 million into the procurement of essential food supplements. The funds have been used to secure 7,000 cartons of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), offering a lifeline to 8,000 malnourished children under five years old across the state.
UNICEF Country Representative Cristian Munduate, during the official handover of the food supplements in Katsina, highlighted the critical nature of this intervention. “These RUTFs will provide life-saving assistance to nearly 8,000 children who are severely malnourished and on the brink of death,” Munduate said. She emphasized the long-term impact, noting that many children suffering from severe malnutrition face irreversible intellectual impairments.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, who received the supplements, lauded the collaboration, acknowledging the high prevalence of malnutrition in Katsina. “Addressing malnutrition at this critical age is a top priority for my administration,” Radda affirmed. The joint N400 million fund, with both the state government and UNICEF contributing equally, is poised to make a significant impact in improving child health across the state.
The RUTF supplements are seen as a crucial step in not only saving lives but also ensuring that these children have the opportunity to grow and thrive like any other child. As the fight against malnutrition intensifies, the partnership between Katsina State and UNICEF stands as a beacon of hope for thousands of vulnerable children.
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