The Bauchi State Government has introduced the Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement (SQ-LNS) to curb undernutrition among children.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB), disclosed this on Friday in Bauchi.
Mohammed identified malnutrition as a major public health challenge in the state, largely driven by high poverty levels and limited access to nutritious food.
According to him, SQ-LNS will help address micronutrient deficiencies and reduce stunting by supplementing nutrients lacking in children’s diets, thereby promoting healthy growth and development.
“Although SQ-LNS is relatively new, it is more affordable than Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF),” he said.
“While RUTF supports rapid weight gain and recovery, SQ-LNS is preventive and designed to bridge nutritional gaps before malnutrition becomes severe,” Mohammed added.
He commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for supplying the supplements, noting that the intervention would help reduce stunting and improve child health outcomes in the state.
Mohammed also said health personnel had been trained to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
The State Nutrition Officer, Mr Abubakar Saleh, said the supplement is sourced and processed from local ingredients such as groundnut, pulses, cereals, milk powder, vegetable oil, sugar, maltodextrin, vitamins and minerals.
Saleh explained that SQ-LNS should be used alongside continued breastfeeding and nutrient-rich complementary foods.
“SQ-LNS targets children aged six to 23 months, with a recommended daily dosage of one 20-gram sachet per child, mixed with complementary foods,” he said.
“Each sachet represents a single daily dose and is not a substitute for breast milk.”
