Gombe launches locally-made food supplement to combat child malnutrition

The Gombe State Government has launched the distribution of a locally produced complementary food supplement aimed at tackling child malnutrition in the state.

While unveiling the initiative, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, described it as a sustainable, homegrown solution to a pressing health challenge.

He disclosed that the state’s child stunting rate currently stands at 50.6%, with over 94,000 children classified as severely malnourished.

“The development and certification of this supplement by NAFDAC mark a significant step in our Human Capital Development agenda,” Jatau stated.

The initiative is a collaborative effort among the Ministries of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) programme.

Over 1,000 students from selected schools have been trained to prepare nutritious meals.

Speaking further, more than 200 women and 300 secondary school students have been trained in the supplement’s production, according to Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, the Commissioner for Education.

This move not only addresses malnutrition but also empowers women and youths, creating both health and economic benefits for communities in Gombe State.