Kwara, UNICEF distribute 4,000 cartons of Therapeutic Food to combat child malnutrition
By Mahmood Olayinka Alaya
In a major step toward addressing child malnutrition in Nigeria, the Kwara State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced the distribution of 4,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to mothers across the state.
The initiative is part of efforts under the global Child Nutrition Fund.
At a formal handover ceremony in Ilorin on Tuesday, 1,982 cartons were officially delivered to beneficiaries, with the remaining expected to be distributed in the coming weeks.
Speaking at the event, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mamman Saba Jibril, reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to eliminating child malnutrition.
He emphasized that the partnership with UNICEF, initiated in late 2023, resulted in a joint investment of $200,000, equally contributed by both parties.
“Parents of malnourished children can now access this life-saving nutrition at designated health facilities, where trained health workers will ensure proper administration and monitoring.
“Our investment in the Child Nutrition Fund underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and future of Kwara’s children”, the governor said.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, lauded the state government’s leadership in tackling the crisis, noting that malnutrition remains a major threat to child survival in Kwara, where more than 40 percent of children are stunted and nearly 300,000 suffer from wasting.
“This initiative sends a powerful message of compassion and responsibility. It’s not just about distributing food, it’s about saving lives and giving children a fair chance to thrive”, Munduate said.
She further called for increased human and financial resources to bolster the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) services across all local government areas.
Munduate urged the state government to seize the upcoming Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week to deliver critical interventions, including vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and micronutrient distribution.
Emphasising the urgent need for action, a pediatrician and lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Professor Aisha Gbolagade, stressed that severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a national emergency.
“Every day, over 1,000 Nigerian children die from SAM-related causes. That’s more than 400,000 deaths annually. We must invest more in domestic solutions, integrate malnutrition care into our healthcare system, and support local production of RUTF”, she said.
Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Mrs. Mary Arinde, described RUTF as not just a life-saving product but a transformative tool for vulnerable children.
“It helps children recover, grow, and live healthy lives like their peers. This is not just about nutrition, it’s about restoring futures”, the commissioner said.
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