The Yobe government and UNICEF have spent $200,000 (approximately N273,458,000) on the procurement of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to tackle malnutrition among children in the state.

The commodities were procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) matching grant initiative, jointly funded by the state and UNICEF.

Muhammad Gana, the state co-commissioner, stated this at the flag-off of the First Round Integrated Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCHW) and polio campaign in Damaturu on Monday.

He said both the state and UNICEF contributed $100,000 each in 2025 for the procurement of 3,256 cartons of the commodity, which would support the treatment of thousands of malnourished children in the state.

Mr Gana announced that Governor Mai Mala Buni of the state had approved the release of N500 million as the state’s 2026 counterpart contribution to the CNF.

“This investment will strengthen our nutrition programme, improve access to life-saving treatment, reduce child mortality and contribute significantly to the achievement of better nutrition outcomes for our children,” Mr Gana said.

UNICEF Nutritional Health Specialist Aminu Usman said that although the Global Acute Malnutrition index dropped from 12.1 per cent in 2024 to 10.2 per cent in 2025, more efforts were required to reach the acceptable threshold.

He, therefore, recommended community-based management of acute malnutrition; improved infant and young child feeding practices; strengthened routine immunisation; and access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, among others.

“Vitamin A supplementation remains one of the most effective child survival interventions. UNICEF reiterates the importance of ensuring that every eligible child aged 6-59 months receives two doses annually through the MNCHW platform,” Mr Usman said.

The official noted that MNCHW was a bi-annual event connecting newborns, children and mothers to essential health and well-being services.

“The aim is to reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths as well as improve health-seeking behaviour.

“As we flag off the first round of the 2026 MNCHW today, children and women will receive health, nutrition and child protection services which will ultimately boost their survival, development and growth.

“MNCHW is a proven platform that complements routine health services by expanding access to essential interventions, particularly for the most vulnerable populations,” he said.

Mr Usman listed other services lined up for the week to include vitamin A supplementation for children, deworming, immunisation services, family planning, birth registration and HIV testing, among others.

The official reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the Yobe government and all partners in sustaining and expanding equitable access to integrated health and nutrition services.

Babagana Machina, executive secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, said healthcare services would be provided at 356 designated health centres and outreach points across the state.

“Our goal is to achieve at least 90 per cent coverage for all interventions, particularly among vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, thereby accelerating progress toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC),” he said.

(NAN)