The Jigawa State Government has issued a stern warning against the diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), urging the public to report any such incidents to the relevant authorities.
Dr. Salisu Kainuwa, the state’s Commissioner for Health, made this statement during a press briefing in Dutse.
He revealed that some health workers had already been arrested by the police for allegedly selling RUTF intended for distribution to vulnerable children.
“Anyone found diverting this life-saving commodity does so at their own risk,” Dr. Kainuwa cautioned.
He further emphasized that the state government remains committed to ensuring RUTF reaches its intended recipients—children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
The Commissioner warned that diverting RUTF could have severe consequences, including increased mortality rates among children under five, stating:
“This is not just theft; it’s a matter of life and death for our children.”;
Dr. Kainuwa also highlighted the steps taken by the government to tackle malnutrition, such as procuring RUTF and implementing community-based nutrition programs.
The government, in partnership with UNICEF, has been working to improve nutrition and health outcomes for women and children. Dr. Kainuwa also praised the state’s Masaki Nutrition Programme, which aims to prevent malnutrition and operates 300 government-funded community sites across Jigawa.
“Jigawa has shown remarkable leadership in the areas of nutrition, health, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) through consistent funding and quality service delivery,”; he added.
He urged health workers to maintain professional ethics and prioritize the well-being of malnourished children, reiterating his call for the public to report any instances of RUTF diversion.
Jigawa continues to grapple with a high rate of malnutrition, with official data showing that 64% of children are stunted and 9.6% are wasted.
