Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi, the first lady of Jigawa state, is worried about the rising theft and sale of RUTF, which are intended to cure children in the state who are extremely malnourished.
During a courtesy call at the Government House in Dutse, she made the comment while receiving Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibrahim, the Jigawa State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The state government and development partners supply the RUTF, which is a critical medicinal nutrition for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, according to Mrs. Namadi.
The device that was supposed to protect vulnerable youngsters is allegedly being marketed in homes, businesses, and markets instead.
The therapeutic food, she emphasised, is not just any old meal; it’s a medical intervention that can save the lives of children in dire need, and it must be available to them at no cost.
As a result, the First Lady issued a rallying cry to moms, community leaders, and anyone else who can help put a stop to the illicit trade in the item.
Because of the potential denial of life-saving treatment to malnourished youngsters, she pleaded with locals to report anyone engaging in the practice.
Hajiya Namadi further cautioned that development partners may be hesitant to continue supporting the state if the product is diverted.
Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibrahim, director of the National Orientation Agency in Jigawa State, had earlier stated that the visit was an element of the agency’s effort to combat the misappropriation and diversion of aid funds given by the government and development organisations.
He elaborated by saying that the organization has ramped up its advocacy activities to stop the unlawful sale and diversion of RUTF in partnership with UNICEF and the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.