Worsening Food Insecurity: Bauchi Govt, UNICEF Contribute N300m Each to Procure Nutrition Commodities for Children, Mothers

Bauchi State in Nigeria and UNICEF are jointly investing N600 million to address a critical rise in child malnutrition and expand services for mothers. The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad, stated that the current malnutrition crisis is driven by inflation, not just poverty.

“

The malnutrition we are seeing is not just because of poverty, it is because of inflation. Children are coming out malnourished.

The state government and UNICEF have each contributed N300 million to procure vital nutrition commodities. This funding has already facilitated the distribution of 4,842 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and 15,000 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS) to centers managing acute malnutrition.

“

Mothers like it and they are demanding more. It prevents anaemia and supports both mother and baby.

Bauchi State is making significant strides, being the first in Nigeria to use its own funds for procuring SQLNS for malnutrition prevention. UNICEF has also supplied approximately 15 million doses of these supplements to high-risk communities. Furthermore, the state is the first to implement Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women, with 30,000 cartons already received and more en route.

“

If you want a healthy baby and a healthy mother, you must make sacrifices.

Dr. Muhammad highlighted that Governor Bala Mohammed has increased the annual budget for child and maternal nutrition to N500 million this year, while UNICEF plans to invest $1 billion nationwide for similar programs. The board is working to scale up treatment for all levels of malnutrition and aims to integrate MMS into the essential drug list or revolving drug fund for long-term sustainability. Health workers have been trained, and electronic monitoring tools are now in use to track supplement distribution and utilization.

“

if government wants to take care of the community, it must subsidise. If not, there will be problems.