The Kano State Government has allocated N500 million to combat malnutrition, which affects 51.9 per cent of children in the state, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, has said.
Labaran, who spoke at a review meeting for the FHI 360 Alive & Thrive Nigeria Project, said the state’s contribution was matched by UNICEF, bringing the total intervention fund to N1 billion. The funds were used to procure Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for distribution across the state.
“This intervention will last for several months before it is exhausted,” the commissioner said, adding that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was committed to reducing malnutrition and anemia among children and pregnant women.
Labaran commended FHI 360 Alive & Thrive Nigeria Project for its role in improving maternal and child health, noting that the programme has positively impacted mothers, children, and adolescents globally.
Speaking on the project’s closeout, the state team lead, Dr. Ashiru Muhammad, highlighted its achievements over the past four years. He said the initiative reduced anemia among women of reproductive age from 58 per cent in 2018, lowered stunting in children to 40 per cent, and strengthened healthcare delivery in the state.
“More than 8,000 healthcare workers were trained, over one million women were prevented from being anemic, and 23 per cent of pregnant women now have access to multiple micronutrient supplements,” Muhammad said. He added that 50,000 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) materials were also distributed in Kano.
