Gombe Gov Releases N500m Counterpart Fund for Therapeutic Food Supply

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has approved the release of N500 million as a counterpart fund for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The intervention, implemented through the Child Nutrition Fund, is expected to expand access to treatment for children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) across the state, the Governor’s media aide, Isma’ila Uba Misilli, said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the payment further strengthens the administration’s investment in programmes that protect the most vulnerable, particularly children under five, and has contributed to the state’s steady progress in child survival and overall health outcomes.

RUTF is a life-saving therapeutic food used globally in the community-based management of severe acute malnutrition. The nutrient-rich paste enables malnourished children to recover quickly and safely, including in remote communities where access to health facilities is limited.

According to Misilli, the state’s investment in RUTF and other nutrition interventions aligns with Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s strategy to reduce child mortality, improve early childhood development, and build a healthier future generation for Gombe.