By Tasi’u Hassan
To strengthen the prevention of malnutrition among children, UNICEF, in conjunction with the Adamawa State Government through the Child Nutrition Fund Mechanism, procured 4,290 cartons of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQLNS) for distribution to children across the state.
The Child Nutrition Match Fund, supported by a mix of donors including the Government of the United Kingdom, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other partners, is managed by UNICEF.
The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, explained that “CNF is a unique unique match funding instrument in which UNICEF and its partners match government government financing of essential nutrition commodities in a ratio of 1:1, allowing governments to double their investment in essential nutrition commodities to accelerate the scale – up of policies, programmes for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of malnutrition”.
Handing over the supplements to the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency in Yola, Dr. Rafique, said Adamawa State is one of the early adopters of the Child Nutrition Fund in Nigeria, as the state released N100 million in 2023.
According to Dr. Rafique, this contribution has enabled the government and UNICEF to procure 4,290 cartons of the supplements, which will be used to prevent malnutrition for about 85,000 children.
Dr. Rafique explained that the SQLNS is a food supplement designed mainly to prevent undernutrition and improve child survival, growth, and development.
“SQLNS is a food supplement designed mainly to prevent undernutrition and improve child survival, growth and development. SQLNS addresses stunting, wasting and anemia and contains 23 minerals and vitamins in addition to protein and energy”, she explained.
The UNICEF Bauchi Chief of Field Office, lamented that malnutrition in children remains a concern in Nigeria, urging the state government to approve six months paid parental leave to protect infant health and nutrition, and support exclusive breastfeeding.
According to her, “Adamawa State has a malnutrition rate as 48.6% of Adamawa’s children are stunted, 7% are wasted, and 36% of pregnant women are anemic. Over 80% of the children in the state suffer from child food poverty. They lack the access to a diverse diet to support growth and development.
“We urge the government to continue investing even more resources in 2025 which UNICEF will also match to procure more commodities through the CNF.
“We encourage the government to conduct two rounds of MNCHWs in 2025 and procure deworming tablets in sufficient quantities to reach all children 12-59 months in the state”
She promised that UNICEF will continue to partner with the state and work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes for children and women in Adamawa state.
On his part, Adamawa State Commissioner of Health, Mr. Felix Tangwami, attributed the rise in malnutrition to insurgency and insecurity, which negatively affected farming activities, thereby reducing access to nutritious food in the state.
He noted that the supplements would be distributed and utilized effectively, for the benefits of the children.
The commissioner said that the state government has invested heavily in the social sector particularly the health, explaining that Governor Fintiri has last year provided 100 million Naira matching funds for the provision of the supplements.
Tangwami, who lauded UNICEF and other donor partners for supporting the state, says “Despite limited resources and competing demands, Governor Fintiri continues to prioritise the health sector”.
The Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Sulaiman Sa’idu Bashir, promised to ensure the supplements are distributed properly to benefit the intended recipients.
According to Dr. Sa’idu Bashir, the state governor has provided a matching fund of N300 million for the provision of supplements this year, appreciating UNICEF and other partners for the collaboration.
The executive chairman appreciated Governor Fintiri for his efforts in ensuring the health and wellbeing of the children across the state, noting that the supplements will support the healthy growth of children in Adamawa State.
