Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has inaugurated two Stabilization Centres and 60 Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) sites as part of renewed efforts to combat child malnutrition in Katsina State.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Baure Local Government Area, Radda said the initiative underscores his administration’s commitment to safeguarding children’s health and expanding access to quality healthcare services.
The governor announced that the Stabilization Centres are located in Daura and Baure, while the 60 OTP sites are spread across 12 local government areas, including Funtua, Danja, Malumfashi, Ingawa, Bindawa, Dutsi, Kusada, Charanchi, Rimi, Mani, Mashi and Kankia.
He explained that the centres would provide free treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, while the OTP sites would facilitate early detection and community-level intervention.
“These communities have been underserved for too long. Today, that gap is being closed,” the governor said.
Radda also ordered a crackdown on the misuse of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), warning that individuals found diverting or selling the product would face prosecution. He disclosed that a mobile court had been approved to handle such cases, stressing that offenders would be dealt with without exception. He added that those found purchasing the nutrition supplies illegally would also face sanctions.
The initiative follows a high-level stakeholders’ conference on malnutrition held in November 2025 in Abuja, where Katsina State secured a £10 million pledge from the European Union to support nutrition interventions.
The governor commended development partners, including UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières, as well as members of the state’s multi-sectoral nutrition committee, for their support and contributions.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Lawal Rabe, revealed that the governor had approved ₦700 million as counterpart funding for the World Bank-supported Accelerated Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN 2.0) programme.
Rabe, who represented the Commissioner for Health, said the administration was also upgrading several primary healthcare centres to general hospitals to improve service delivery. He listed ongoing projects in Zango, Baure, Mai’adua and Dandume among others.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the State Nutrition Committee, Ruqayya Hamza Usman, said the government had expanded access to nutrition services across 12 local government areas. She noted that over 600 community volunteers had been trained to identify malnourished children early, while more than 300 health workers had been equipped to support service delivery.
According to her, the new and upgraded Stabilization Centres would provide improved facilities, free treatment and better support for caregivers, alongside strengthened accountability measures to ensure nutrition supplies reach intended beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Baure Local Government Area, Alhaji Saminu Sulaiman, said the establishment of the centres would reduce the need for residents to seek medical care in neighbouring Niger Republic. He commended the state government for revitalising primary healthcare centres and renovating schools in the area.
The event featured goodwill messages from development partners and traditional leaders, who praised the state government’s efforts and pledged continued support for the fight against malnutrition.
