Bauchi State Receives N600m UNICEF Malnutrition Aid

The Bauchi State Government has secured a N600 million child malnutrition intervention from UNICEF to address severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months. The intervention package includes 4,562 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and 15,419 cartons of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS).

The funding is a joint contribution, with the Bauchi State Government providing N300 million alongside 20 local government areas matching the amount. Governor Bala Mohammed received the supplies at the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program (BSADP) headquarters.

The initiative, represented by Deputy Auwal Jatau, aims to prevent malnutrition in children aged 6 to 23 months and strengthen primary healthcare services. Governor Mohammed emphasized the importance of maternal and child health and nutrition as priorities for his administration.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Sani Moham Dambam, noted that 61.7% of children in Bauchi are stunted, and 68.6% of women aged 15 to 49 suffer from anemia. UNICEF's Chief Field Officer in Bauchi, Nuzhat Rafiqu, highlighted the critical need for families to adopt better nutritional practices.