THE YOBE government has sought the support of security agencies in the state to tackle the diversion of life-saving food meant for malnourished children.
Dr Babagana Machina, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Development Board, appealed during a high-level engagement meeting with the security agencies and other stakeholders on Wednesday in Damaturu.
He announced that the state government had committed more than N500 million to procure and distribute nutrition commodities to tackle child malnutrition.
Machina insisted that it became imperative for the state to put a stop to theft of the life-saving therapeutic food meant for vulnerable children.
He, however, described the rising cases of acute malnutrition among children as a public healthcare crisis and a threat to national security.
The executive secretary warned that diversion of nutrition supplies was worsening the situation.
“We are deeply concerned about the rate of malnutrition in the state. This is not just a health issue; it is also a security issue.
“Life-saving food meant for our children is being stolen, diverted and sold illegally,” Machina said.
He said the goal of the meeting was to enlighten law enforcement agencies on the critical role of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, RUTF, in treating severe acute malnutrition and to build consensus on how to safeguard the nutrition commodities from misuse, theft and illegal marketing across the state.
The executive secretary further assured that the state government remained committed to protecting citizens’ health and well-being.
He said that special attention would be given to malnourished children, saying security agencies must collaborate and ensure nutrition supplies get to the intended beneficiaries.
In his goodwill message, UNICEF representative Dr K.C. Nwongu commended the Yobe government for the N500 million allocation
He stated that UNICEF was also supporting the state with additional nutrition supplies.
However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the engagement brought together heads of security agencies, including the military and police, members of the State House of Assembly, the governor’s adviser on health, the Ministry of Budget, Civil Society Organisations and development partners. (NAN)
