Jigawa First Lady Raises Alarm Over Diversion of Life-Saving Nutrition for Malnourished Children
The First Lady of Jigawa State, Hadiza Umar Namadi, has called for urgent community action to stop the diversion and illegal sale of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a critical treatment used for children suffering from severe malnutrition.
Hajiya Namadi made the appeal while receiving a joint delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Orientation Agency at the Government House in Dutse.
She described the diversion of the therapeutic food as deeply troubling, noting that the state government, with support from development partners including UNICEF, had procured large quantities of the product worth millions of naira to support the treatment of severely malnourished children across the state.
According to the First Lady, reports indicate that some of the supplies meant for vulnerable children are now being illegally sold in markets, shops, and even private homes.
She stressed that RUTF is not ordinary food but a specialised medical nutrition therapy specifically designed to treat severe acute malnutrition and save the lives of young children.
Blessing Anolaba
Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.
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