The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, that 300,000 Kwara children would begin using the Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
The UNICEF Country Representative, Mrs Christian Munduate stated this in Ilorin while speaking at the handing over ceremony of the RUTF.
She said that UNICEF and Kwara government partnered to deploy 3,964 cartons of the RUTF to combat child malnutrition in the state.
“The initiative funded through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), indicates the commitment of both partners to improve child health and address severe acute malnutrition among children in the state,” she said.
According to her, the challenge of over 40 percent of children being stunted and nearly 300,000 children being affected by wasting, requires urgent action to address these issues.
Munduate explained that UNICEF and Kwara were partnering to combat malnutrition, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
She observed that the current management of severe acute malnutrition in Kwara was limited to a few health facilities adding that it needs to be expanded to more facilities to reach more children.
She disclosed that the Kwara government’s contribution of 100,000 Dollars matched by UNICEF to procure the RUTF for treatment “is a major stride and highly commendable”.
“This initiative is lifesaving for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and wasting”.
Earlier in her welcoming address, Dr Mary Arinde, the Kwara Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, emphasised the importance of good nutrition for the mental and physical development of children.
According to her, RUTF is a condiment developed to help malnourished children overcome their nutritional inadequacies and be able to grow well like their contemporaries.
“It is not just a life-saver but also a destiny-saver for malnourished children as it gives them a second chance to live quality lives,” she said.
Also speaking, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam reiterated the resolve of the state government to stamp out malnutrition among children.
She explained that the state had earlier carried out health and nutrition intervention, including deworming of 700,000 children, administering of Vitamin A, Zinc and ORS among others.
El-Imam pledged the distribution of the essential lifesaving commodities to the various Primary Healthcare facilities across the 16 LGAs.
NAN
