NOA Tackles Diversion of Therapeutic Food for Malnourished Children
Hussaini Ibrahim 
JIGAWA, Nigeria – Stakeholders mobilise communities to protect life-saving nutrition supplies
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday launched a stakeholder engagement in Jigawa State to curb the illegal diversion and sale of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) intended for severely malnourished children.
The initiative follows reports that the nutrition product is being sold in local markets instead of reaching vulnerable children who require urgent treatment.
Speaking during the meeting in Dutse, NOA State Director Ahmad Tijjani warned that diversion of the commodity could have deadly consequences.
“It has been estimated that each malnourished child needs a carton of RUTF to survive,” he says. “If one carton is diverted, we have the tendency to lose a life.”
The engagement, organised with UNICEF and the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, brings together community leaders, health officials and local stakeholders to strengthen monitoring systems.
Tijjani explains that communities must play a key role in ensuring the life-saving nutrition reaches the intended beneficiaries.
He says a rapid survey across states under the UNICEF Kano Field Office, including Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, identifies poverty as a major reason some families sell the therapeutic food.
Deputy State Health Educator Nura Ado warns adults against consuming the specialised nutrition product.
“RUTF is specifically designed for severely malnourished children,” he says. “When adults consume it, it can lead to obesity and high blood pressure.”
Officials urge parents and caregivers to ensure the therapeutic food is used strictly for treating malnourished children under medical supervision.
Authorities say the campaign aims to improve accountability and protect children suffering from severe acute malnutrition across affected communities.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 
Oluwatobi Adu