A Civil Society Organization, Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has raised concerns over alleged selling and diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for malnourished children in Jigawa State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of CS-SUNN in the state, Shua’ibu Musa Kafingana issued to DAILY POST.
The CSO alleged that women whose children are malnourished and who are given the therapeutic food for their children’s survival, sell the product to others for financial gains, leaving the children to suffer more.
He said the action has contributed to increasing the rate of stunting in children in Jigawa State, which has the highest cases in Nigeria.
According to him ” the Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for malnourished children is being sold at the community level by the women who benefit from it.”
He said the report was generated from the advocacy visit carried out by the group on Thursday to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA).
He explained that the visit was to solicit an increase in the paid maternity leaves from three months to six months for every breastfeeding mother in the state.
He said the team has also recommended to the policymakers in the state to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation framework for the effective use of RUTF.
“More sensitization to our communities on the use of the required diet, Nutrition components and culture of eating.
Responding, the Director PHCDA, Dr Shehu Sambo said Jigawa State is doing its best around Nutrition in the country.
He assures that the National Policies on six months of Maternity leave will be critically taken into consideration and ensure proper monitoring of RUTF utilization.
