KANO, Nigeria – Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reopened Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres across all 44 local government areas to tackle severe malnutrition affecting over 17,000 children.
The statement, released today, Saturday, by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, said, “This marks the first comprehensive nutrition intervention in eight years after the previous administration abandoned the programme. The neglect contributed to a high stunting rate of 51.9 per cent in the state—meaning one in every two children suffers chronic malnutrition.”
At the reopening of the Takai malnutrition treatment centre, Governor Yusuf expressed concern, saying, “This level of neglect is unacceptable. Our administration is committed to ensuring the survival and development of our children.” He added, “Our children are suffering innocently from a preventable condition. With this intervention, we are giving hope to over 17,000 vulnerable children and restoring confidence in primary healthcare.”
The government paid N500 million as counterpart funding to UNICEF to procure 12,948 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), vital for treating severe malnutrition.
UNICEF Kano Health Manager, Dr. Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, praised Kano’s leadership: “Kano is the highest single-state contributor to the Child Nutrition Fund in Nigeria. We urge a second round of MNCHW by December and approval of six months paid maternity leave to protect infant nutrition and promote exclusive breastfeeding.”
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kano’s nutrition and health efforts.
