Gombe, UNICEF Targets Child Malnutrition with N1bn Lifeline

By Auwal Umar, Gombe

The Gombe State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have unveiled a N1 billion intervention aimed at combating acute malnutrition among children, as alarming nutrition indicators continue to threaten the well-being of thousands of young children across the state.

The intervention, funded through a counterpart arrangement in which the state government and UNICEF contributed N500 million each, will provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Speaking during a monitoring exercise of the nutrition commodities, the executive secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, described malnutrition as one of the most serious public health challenges confronting the state.

According to him, the therapeutic food products will be distributed across all local government areas to ensure that affected children receive timely treatment and nutritional support.

“These emergency foods, known as ready-to-use therapeutic food, are meant for the management of children with acute malnutrition. The Gombe State Government has provided N500 million as matching funds, while UNICEF also contributed N500 million, bringing the total investment to N1 billion,” he said.

Dr Shuaibu noted that the government was taking proactive measures because of the growing burden of child malnutrition in the state.

Recent findings from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24 show that malnutrition remains a major concern in Gombe and across the North-East. The survey revealed that children in the region continue to face high levels of stunting, wasting and underweight conditions, indicators that reflect chronic and acute undernutrition.

The agency head said the intervention aims to save lives and get the supplies to the kids who need them most.

“Gombe has a high number of malnourished children, and this situation has compelled the government to take decisive action. We are monitoring the distribution process closely to ensure transparency and accountability so that these commodities reach the intended beneficiaries,” he stated.

Also speaking, UNICEF’s Vaccine Security and Logistics Representative in Gombe State, Pharmacist Abubakar Muhammad, said the intervention was informed by nutrition data that identified a significant number of children requiring urgent nutritional support.

“Based on available data, we observed that many children are suffering from malnutrition and require these nutritional supplements. That is why UNICEF intervened by providing ready-to-use therapeutic food for the management of malnourished children,” he explained.

Muhammad noted that UNICEF has maintained a strong partnership with Gombe State over the past seven years, supporting various health and nutrition programmes aimed at improving child survival and development.

“UNICEF has been supporting Gombe State for the past seven years, and we remain committed to sustaining this intervention and other programmes that improve the health and nutrition of children,” he added.

Health experts say severe acute malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children under five, especially in vulnerable communities where access to nutritious food is limited.

With the new N1 billion investment, thousands of children are expected to benefit from life-saving treatment, offering renewed hope to families struggling to protect their children from the devastating effects of hunger and malnutrition.

For many parents across Gombe, the intervention represents more than a government programme, it is a chance for their children to survive, recover and grow into healthy adults.

34.7 Million Mosquito Nets Reach Nigerians as Supply Chain Innovation Boosts Malaria Fight

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

A major effort to help Nigeria fight malaria has successfully delivered 34.7 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to 10 states in 2025, according to the Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) run by the Society for Family Health (SFH).

The achievement highlights the crucial role of efficient transportation, warehousing, and tracking systems in delivering lifesaving health commodities to millions of households, particularly in communities vulnerable to malaria.

In a statement issued in Abuja, MD Christopher Dangana said the operation ranks among the largest mosquito net distribution exercises carried out in the country recently.

He noted that while public attention often focuses on the number of nets distributed or lives protected, the success of such health interventions largely depends on the strength of the logistics network behind them.

According to him, the programme demonstrated how technology-driven solutions, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders can significantly improve the delivery of critical healthcare supplies.

Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by malaria globally, with pregnant women and children under the age of five among the most vulnerable groups. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets continue to be recognised as one of the most effective preventive tools against malaria.

Dangana explained that moving millions of mosquito nets from central warehouses to communities required a vast operational structure that involved storage facilities, transportation routes, local government depots, and thousands of distribution centres spread across the participating states.

The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and other development partners, and was funded by the Global Fund.

He disclosed that a total of 36.5 million mosquito nets were transported from central storage facilities to local government warehouses, while 34.7 million eventually reached community-level distribution points where beneficiaries collected them.

Describing the operation as a landmark achievement, Dangana said every successful delivery represented additional protection for families living in malaria-prone areas.

A key factor behind the success, he said, was the introduction of digital tools designed to improve accountability and provide real-time visibility throughout the supply chain.

One of the innovations deployed was the logistic tracking application, which enabled program managers and health officials to monitor the movement of mosquito nets from dispatch to final delivery.

The technology was initially tested in two states during the 2024 campaign before being expanded to all 10 participating states this year.

Dangana revealed that the project recorded complete delivery coverage across all designated locations without losing a single mosquito net during transportation.

“The programme achieved full delivery to all targeted local government warehouses and distribution centres, with no losses recorded throughout the movement process,” he stated.

Data from the campaign showed that Kano State received the highest allocation, with 7.74 million mosquito nets. Kaduna followed with 4.5 million, while Katsina received 4.3 million.

Other beneficiary states included Niger and Delta with 3.1 million nets each, Jigawa with 2.98 million, Ogun with 2.91 million, Gombe with 2.1 million, Yobe with 2.05 million, and Taraba with 1.7 million.

Dangana explained that every consignment passed through a digital verification process that tracked dispatch, transit, arrival, and confirmation stages. Electronic proof of delivery was generated for each shipment, creating a transparent record of movement and receipt.

He added that the technology significantly improved oversight and reduced the risk of diversion or loss of commodities.

Despite the success, the operation was not without challenges. Logistics teams had to navigate poor road infrastructure, seasonal flooding, and difficult-to-access rural communities.

In some parts of Delta State, for example, transportation involved a combination of trucks and boats to reach riverine settlements. Certain deliveries required multiple transfers before arriving at their final destinations.

Limited telecommunications coverage in remote areas also affected the speed of digital reporting during parts of the campaign.

Nevertheless, Dangana said the teams maintained delivery schedules and ensured that all designated communities received their allocations.

He praised the partnership among government agencies, donor organisations, and implementing partners, noting that strong coordination was critical to the success of the project.

According to him, the National Malaria Elimination Programme provided strategic leadership, while Catholic Relief Services was the principal recipient of Global Fund malaria grants.

He stressed that robust logistics systems help maximise donor investments and expand access to preventive healthcare services.

“When supply chains function effectively, health programmes can reach more people and achieve a greater impact. The successful delivery of 34.7 million mosquito nets translates into protection for approximately 17.3 million Nigerians against malaria,” he said.

The latest distribution campaign is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to reduce malaria infections and deaths across the country, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.

🔥 Rising Heat, Silent Danger: A Health Alert Nigerians Must Not Ignore

As temperatures continue to soar across parts of Nigeria, health experts are raising concern over an emerging climate pattern known as El Niño  a natural event that is already intensifying heat conditions and could pose serious risks to public health in the coming weeks.

What many people see as “ordinary hot weather” may, in reality, be something far more dangerous. With May approaching, meteorological changes linked to El Niño could delay rainfall and prolong extreme heat, exposing millions to life-threatening conditions if precautions are not taken.

What is El Niño and Why Does It Matter?

El Niño occurs when ocean temperatures in the Pacific rise unusually high. This disrupts global weather patterns, often leading to reduced rainfall and prolonged heat in regions like West Africa.

In practical terms, this means that the rains expected during this period may come late or be weaker than usual, leaving communities exposed to intense and persistent heat.

The Hidden Health Risk: Heat Stroke

One of the most dangerous outcomes of extreme heat is Heat Stroke — a condition that can affect anyone, including healthy individuals.

Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature. Without urgent care, it can lead to organ failure or even death.

Common warning signs include:

• Severe headache
• Dizziness or fainting
• Vomiting
• Hot, dry skin with little or no sweating

If these symptoms appear, move the person to a cool or shaded area immediately, cool their body with a damp cloth, and seek urgent medical attention.

Simple Steps That Can Save Lives

1. Stay Hydrated at All Times
Do not wait until you feel thirsty  thirst means your body is already dehydrated. Drink water regularly, even if you are not thirsty. Pay special attention to children and the elderly.

2. Avoid Peak Sun Hours
The sun is strongest between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Limit outdoor activities during this period. Parents should reconsider school sports or strenuous activities under the sun.

3. Dress for the Weather
Avoid dark clothing, especially black, as it absorbs heat. Opt for light-colored, loose-fitting cotton clothes.

4. Protect the Vulnerable — Including Animals
Ensure pets and even stray animals have access to water and shade. A simple bowl of water outside your home can save a life.

 A Collective Responsibility

Extreme heat is not just a weather condition — it is a public health concern. Awareness and early action can prevent unnecessary loss of life.

Communities are encouraged to share this information widely, check on vulnerable neighbours, and adopt heat safety measures immediately.

Final Word

As the effects of El Niño intensify, preparedness is key. The choices we make today — staying hydrated, avoiding excessive heat, and looking out for one another — can make the difference between life and tragedy.

Stay informed. Stay safe. Save a life.