USAID, Stakeholders Collaborate To Address Severe Acute Malnutrition in Nigeria

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with the Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders, are collaborating to address severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria.

This was disclosed at a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), and other Life-Saving Nutrition Commodities Expo trade fair in Abuja.

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USAID Mission Director Dr. Anne Patterson said that in Nigeria, severe acute malnutrition remains a significant public health concern, affecting 3.6 million children which calls for a holistic approach.

“With persistent challenges related to food insecurity, limited access to quality healthcare, and inadequate nutrition interventions, the situation calls for robust multi sectoral collaboration and innovation.

“Expanding sustainable local access to affordable life-saving nutrition commodities is essential to address severe malnutrition in Nigerian children. This Trade Fair provides a much-needed platform for local manufacturers, investors, and other operators in the RUTF and nutrition commodities value chain to display their products and innovations.

“In addition, participants will have a valuable opportunity to network and build connections with the Nigerian government, donors, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.

“We hope that this trade fair provides a platform to build meaningful relationships that will result in sustainable local access to affordable, lifesaving, nutrition commodities that help reduce severe malnutrition in Nigeria,” Dr Patterson said.

While commending the Federal Ministry of Health for including RUTF and other nutrition commodities in the list of essential medicines, Dr. Patterson called for more commitment from the American government.

The United States government is committed to combating malnutrition in Nigeria.

“In partnership with the people of Nigeria, their government and various stakeholders, we recognize that reducing malnutrition is a critical component of improving health, education, and economic development.”

The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, is exploring sustainable financing options to ensure that these life-saving nutrition commodities remain accessible to those who need them.

“As an example, we have donated a supply of RUTF ‘seed stock’ and are providing technical support to ensure that Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto states retain RUTF in their supply chain inventory.

“We are investing in the private sector to promote the local supply of RUTF including local access to premium groundnut paste that will meet UNICEF standards. We call on state governments to commit to sustaining access to RUTF and other lifesaving nutrition commodities for their citizens and to remain steadfast in fulfilling this critical commitment despite competing priorities,” she reiterates.

Also speaking, the Chairman National Committee on Food and Nutrition, who is also the Permanent Secretary Nigeria Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Nebeolisa Anako, explained that malnutrition was underlined by so many factors which needs to be addressed urgently.

According to him, adequate nutrition is considered a key factor to living an active and healthy life, in spite of its importance as determinant of health and development, malnutrition is still neglected with little efforts to address its causes and serious implications, which has left a huge burden and a calls for deliberate efforts to address as a country. However Nigeria has not relent in its efforts to address the challenge.

“In 2014, Nigeria secured the license for local manufacturing of Ready to use therapeutics foods in Nigeria. Before then Nigeria has been importing this facility from other countries. As at today a private sector Health alliance of Nigeria has been at the fore front of ensuring local manufacturing of RUFT.”

The alliance has been able to treat at least 50 thousand severe acute malnutrition in two Saharan states. As part of strategic approach to recognize the year 2021 to 2030, to accelerate the achievement of SDGs, to achieve this, the National Food System Transformation Path Ways with identified priority action for government at all levels was produced and a National Strategy for the Coordination of Food System has also been developed by all stakeholders.

On his part the Deputy Governor of Sokoto state, Mr. Idris Gobir, expressed gratitude to USAID and partners for all services it is rendering in Nigeria.

“We are grateful to all partners offering services in Sokoto states in particular and other states in Nigeria. With special acknowledgement of the USAID integrated health project, for not only making this happen but for guiding the state in developing sustainability plans.

“On behalf of all benefiting states, I want to appreciate USAID for its investment in Sokoto states for over 20 years in different sectors. It is my pleasure to assure you of the Sokoto state government’s commitment to ensure that this relationship continues.

“The state government will continue to do its best in the reduction of maternal and mortality rate and improving of health indices,” he noted.

The partnerships formed during the trade fair, is expected to see a turning point in the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria, leading to a bright future where no child is left malnourished.