Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Civil Society Media Advocacy Working Group on Tuesday, 
tasked Gombe state government on the release of approved 50 million naira, as remainder of 75 million naira earlier budgeted for the procurement of Ready To Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
Speaking at the Ministry of Health, the Chairman of the group, Alhassan Yahya said 25 million naira has been released so far for the procurement RUTF adding that government should not not wait for a stock out before adequate arrangement is made.
According to Yahya, Government should focus on Preventive measures instead of curative measures noting that it is far cheaper in nature.
He said, “Initially government approved 75 million naira, out of which government released 25 million naira. Our call is for government to release the remaining 50 million naira for the purchase of RUTF.
“We also observed that mostly government focus more on treatment. We just returned from Mallam Sidi, the situation at the Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition site is very pathetic as they have more clients trooping into the new CMAM site, which was just established about 6 weeks ago.
“But if you look at the number over 350 clients are participating in that centre, which is worrisome. Government should focus more on Preventive measures, I believe prevention is going to be easier for government and at the same time in terms of cost. If for instance government release 50 million naira for prevention, the outcome or result we will get from the 50 million naira will no doubt be good.”
He added that timely release of funds will avert lack and unfavourable consequences.
“This RUTF is not produced in Nigeria, even if government release the money now it will take UNICEF, or any other organization supplying it 3 weeks before it is delivered and as I talk the store is virtually empty what we have is the remains in CMAM centres, by this week we will have stock out and the children will go to square one,” he said.
Also Speaking, Placidus Peters said the advocacy visit is in partnership with the four consortium; Aisha Buhari Foundation, International Society of Media in Public Health, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy centre and Network for Health Equity and Development in the prevention and management of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Gombe state.
He added, “Because of our collaboration with the ministry, we were able to achieve a good budgetary allocation for nutrition in Gombe state. Fortunately some part of the money has been released and procurement has been made to Local Government Areas. We are grateful to the governor for the release, with which 1,159 cartons of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food was procured. ”
On his part, Director of Administration Ministry of Health, Lawan Buba, who received the delegation promised to relate the concern raised by the group to the Commissioner for Health, for prompt action.
He added that the malnutrition issue is a serious burden to everyone in the state.
