The government of Katsina State has raised concerns about a rise in child mortality related to severe malnutrition, labeling it a public health crisis. This alert came after a report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) that indicated an alarming number of child deaths at one of its facilities in the region. In response, Governor Dikko Umar Radda visited the site in July, leading to the formation of a task force comprising UNICEF, MSF, ALIMA, the World Food Programme, and various governmental departments to devise an intervention plan pending the governor’s approval. At a press conference, Dr. Shamsuddin Yahya, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, emphasized that malnutrition is a significant contributor to illness and mortality in the state, urging for collective efforts to combat the issue. “We view the MSF report not as a grievance but as a summons for collaboration in tackling a problem rooted in socio-economic challenges,” Dr. Yahya stated. He also mentioned that the government has demonstrated its commitment by allocating ₦200 million to UNICEF in 2023 and ₦300 million in 2024 for the provision of therapeutic nutrition products, with UNICEF matching these funds. Since 2016, ₦250,000 has been allocated monthly to 14 key local government areas (LGAs) for outpatient child nutrition centers, with all 34 LGAs contributing ₦1 million each month towards combating malnutrition. Currently, Katsina has 185 outpatient therapeutic centers and 17 inpatient facilities for severely malnourished children, with the state government covering more than half of the expenses. Dr. Yahya mentioned that the government is also providing farming tools, establishing mechanisation centers, and overseeing markets to prevent food hoarding. He raised concerns about reports of parents selling Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) intended for their malnourished children and indicated that mobile courts will be set up to prosecute these offenders. Dr. Umar Bello, the Coordinator of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project in Katsina, noted that over three million individuals across the state’s 361 wards have benefited from initiatives such as Vitamin A supplements, micronutrient powders, iron folic acid, malaria-prevention medications for pregnant women, and zinc for children suffering from diarrhoea. He also mentioned that more than 1,000 health workers have been trained to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months, timely complementary feeding, and family planning. In the forthcoming ANRiN 2.0 phase, preventive measures and RUTF distribution will proceed with the backing of the World Bank, as the state government has allocated ₦700 million to maintain this effort. “The governor is dedicated to both prevention and treatment, collaborating with all stakeholders to protect the health of women and children in the state,” Dr. Bello confirmed.
