By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a remarkable initiative to combat malnutrition, the Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has distributed 5,830 cartons of Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This effort aims to provide life-saving treatment to around 6,529 children suffering from severe wasting across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The distribution, celebrated during a handover ceremony led by Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, underscores Gombe State\u2019s commitment to health and nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the past three years, the state has demonstrated exemplary leadership by actively participating in the Child Nutrition Match Fund, which is supported by international donors and managed by UNICEF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This fund has enabled the state to double its investment in nutrition commodities, significantly enhancing efforts to combat malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2023, the Gombe State Government allocated 175 million Naira to the Child Nutrition Fund, which was matched by UNICEF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest procurement of RUTF marks a significant milestone in the state\u2019s continuous effort to reduce malnutrition, where statistics show 51% of children are stunted and 8.8% are wasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Rafique emphasized the importance of sustaining this partnership, urging the state government to further commit resources in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The call for enhanced support is aimed at not only procuring more essential commodities but also advancing health initiatives such as extending maternity leave to support exclusive breastfeeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Deputy Governor Of Gombe State Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau expressed profound gratitude to UNICEF and reaffirmed the government\u2019s dedication to tackling malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He encouraged stakeholders to continue supporting health programs that secure the future of Gombe\u2019s children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a remark, the Gombe State Health Commissioner Dr. Habu Dahiru proposed extending maternity leave from four to six months, highlighting the critical role of exclusive breastfeeding in preventing malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He called for a comprehensive strategy to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, underscoring the need for collective action from all sectors of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The distribution of RUTF offers a beacon of hope for thousands of children in Gombe State, providing an immediate response to severe malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts advocate for a preventive approach that emphasizes balanced diets using locally available, affordable foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This initiative reflects a broader commitment to creating sustainable, long-term strategies that prevent malnutrition and ensure the well-being of every child and mother in Gombe State and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar In a remarkable initiative to combat malnutrition, the Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has distributed 5,830 cartons of Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF). This effort aims to provide life-saving treatment to around 6,529 children suffering from severe wasting across the state. The distribution, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[14,17,4,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gombe","category-headline","category-health","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n