Malnutrition: Bauchi govt. doles out N300m to fight menace
By Idris Ayinde
The Bauchi state government has released the sum of N300 million as contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) in order to combat malnutrition in under 5 children in the state.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, made this known while interacting with Journalists on Wednesday in Bauchi.
According to her, the money was a contribution of Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and the 20 Local Government Chairmen in the state.
She explained that the money released to the CNF is part of the deliberate efforts to eradicate severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children U-5 in Bauchi state.
“UNICEF would also provide a matching sum of N300 million, bringing the total intervention fund to N600 million for the procurement of the foods and other items required for the fight against malnutrition.
The UNICEF boss said, the release of the fund sequel to the familiarisation visit of the new UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, to the Bauchi State Governor.
“We are grateful to the Governor of Bauchi State for releasing the promised N200 million to UNICEF.
We also appreciate the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Bauchi state chapter for the N100 million it released for the programme, making a total of N300m.
“This is a great milestone in our advocacy efforts. UNICEF will match the same amount, which will significantly help in tackling malnutrition in the state,” she stressed.
Rafique further said that the Governor had promised to increase the State’s contribution to N1 billion next year, which UNICEF also pledged to match.
She, however, emphasised the need for long-term strategies, including behavioural change and local solutions to prevent malnutrition, adding that it is easier and better to prevent than to fight it.
She noted that UNICEF’s focus was not only on treatment but also on promoting proper child feeding practices and maternal care from conception through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
She also called on Journalists in the state not to relent in the partnership with UNICEF in the bid to create a healthy environment for children and women.
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