The Kano government has launched a comprehensive intervention aimed at addressing malnutrition and enhancing child health throughout the state.

The initiative includes the reactivation of nutrition centres and mass drug administration targeting children under five.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf inaugurated the programmes on Thursday in Takai LGA, emphasising that the efforts aligned with his administration’s seven strategic health interventions promised during the 2023 election campaign.

“Our commitment remains firm to save lives and improve the health and well-being of the people of Kano State,” he said.

Mr Yusuf lamented the neglect of Comprehensive Management of Acute Malnutrition centres under the previous administration, which allowed them to deteriorate despite a rise in malnutrition cases among children.

He announced plans to reactivate CMAM centres in all 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs), equipping them with essential tools, supplies, and trained staff.

“For the first time, all our 44 LGAs now have some form of nutrition intervention,” the governor stated.

He stated that, in partnership with UNICEF, Kano procured Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food worth N1 billion to support malnourished children.

“The distribution will be closely monitored by health authorities, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure effective coverage. We are confident this intervention will help reverse troubling nutrition trends like stunting and ensure every child grows healthy and well-nourished,” Mr Yusuf added.

Additionally, the governor unveiled a mass administration of Azithromycin through the Mini Number Two project.

He said the programme targeted more than three million children aged 1–59 months to reduce deaths from pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, neonatal infections, measles, and malnutrition-related complications.

“The programme, supported by the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and the Solina Centre for International Development and Research, is valued at N7.2 billion.

“On infrastructure, 187 primary health facilities are being upgraded under the World Bank-supported IMPACT project, alongside renovations of 18 secondary healthcare centres. Special attention is also being given to children with sickle cell disease as part of broader child survival efforts,” he explained.

UNICEF’s health manager in Kano, Serekeberehan Deres, urged the government to deepen its commitment by releasing additional funds in 2025.

“UNICEF will match these funds through the Child Nutrition Match Fund for procurement of more RUTF and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements,” said Ms Deres.

She also called for implementing the second round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week and approving six months of paid maternity leave to support exclusive breastfeeding.

According to her, Kano currently leads Nigerian states in contributions to the CNF, with N500 million matched by UNICEF to provide nearly 13,000 cartons of RUTF benefiting more than 17,000 severely malnourished children.

“We thank His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, and all partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to tackling malnutrition,” Ms Deres said.

Kano remains one of the states with high rates of child malnutrition, with multiple development partners actively supporting nutrition and health improvements.

(NAN)