From Crisis to Cure: Jigawa’s Bold Nutrition Strategy Targets Malnutrition Epidemic

Efforts by the Jigawa State Government to combat malnutrition have seen a new milestone, as 600 women have been trained in the local production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), an initiative aimed at reducing the rising number of malnourished children in the state.

Governor Umar Namadi disclosed this during a graduation event held at the Banquet Hall in Dutse for the beneficiaries of the program. The governor voiced concern over the persistent prevalence of child malnutrition despite substantial yearly investments by the state government to address the crisis.

According to information gathered by iReporter Online, the government spends more than ₦250 million annually on the procurement of RUTF to treat cases of severe acute malnutrition across Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres statewide.

Governor Namadi criticized previous assessments that painted an overly optimistic picture of the state’s nutritional progress, stating that national health surveys have continued to rank Jigawa among states with high rates of stunting in children. He emphasized the government’s decision to adopt Tom Brown, a locally accepted nutritional blend, for managing moderate acute malnutrition due to its cost-effectiveness and accessibility.

Tom Brown, also known as Kwashpap, is a nutritional mix made from millet, groundnuts, and soybeans, and has been validated as an effective dietary supplement for moderate cases of malnutrition. The governor noted that this approach is aligned with broader state-level nutritional strategies, which appear to be yielding results. The 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reportedly showed a decline in stunting rates—from 64% in 2018 to approximately 55%.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency, Dr. Habib Muhammad Ubale, highlighted that the training focused on using locally sourced ingredients to promote child growth and development.