By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Caregivers in Bauchi State whose children are battling Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) have expressed relief and renewed hope following intensified efforts by the Bauchi State Government, in partnership with UNICEF Nigeria’s Bauchi Field Office, to combat childhood malnutrition.
Through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) initiative, thousands of vulnerable children across the state are now receiving life-saving treatment, helping to reverse the devastating effects of malnutrition among children under the age of five.
The intervention is being implemented through a strategic financing arrangement under the Child Nutrition Fund. The Bauchi State Government committed N200 million, while the 20 Local Government Areas contributed an additional N100 million. UNICEF, through the CNF mechanism, matched the combined contribution with N300 million, bringing the total intervention package to N600 million.
The funds were utilized for the procurement of more than 4,562 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and 15,419 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS), which were subsequently handed over to the state government to strengthen nutrition services and improve access to treatment for malnourished children.
The impact of the intervention is already being felt in communities across the state. During a recent assessment visit to the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) Centre at the Primary Health Care Centre in Darazo Local Government Area, large numbers of caregivers were seen accessing RUTF for their children diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition.
The Nutrition Focal Person for Darazo LGA, Abdullahi Bello, disclosed that the facility now manages between 300 and 400 malnourished children weekly, reflecting a significant increase in service uptake. He explained that each affected child receives 14 sachets of RUTF weekly and noted that many beneficiaries have shown remarkable improvements in their nutritional status and overall health.
Speaking on the programme’s impact, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Nutrition Officer, Philomena Irene, described the partnership between UNICEF and the Bauchi State Government as a model of effective collaboration in addressing child malnutrition. She noted that while RUTF remains a critical therapeutic intervention for affected children, discussions are ongoing to promote the use of locally sourced nutritious foods as a sustainable preventive strategy against malnutrition.
Some caregivers who benefited from the programme also expressed gratitude to both UNICEF and the state government, describing the therapeutic food supplies as life-saving support that has helped restore the health and wellbeing of their children.
