In a significant move to combat malnutrition in Jigawa State, UNICEF has handed over 12,400 cartons of Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to the State Government. The RUTF is expected to treat 14,000 children with wasting, a condition where a child is too thin for his or her height. UNICEF, in a press statement on Tuesday said this initiative, funded through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), reinforces the unwavering commitment of both partners to improving child health in the State.
“Over the past three years, Jigawa State has shown remarkable leadership in nutrition, health, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) through consistent fund releases, quality service delivery, and creating a strong enabling environment. “The Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) supported by key donors such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) amongst others and managed by UNICEF, is a unique funding instrument. “By matching government financing of essential nutrition commodities in a 1:1 ratio, it allows governments to double their investment, accelerating the scale-up of policies and programs for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of malnutrition.
“Jigawa State was one of the early adopters of the Child Nutrition Fund, releasing 250 million Naira in 2023. UNICEF matched this amount, enabling the procurement of 12,400 cartons of RUTF. This initiative will treat childre.