In a major push to combat child malnutrition, the Plateau State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched the distribution of 5,392 cartons of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS), targeting over 80,000 children between 6 to 23 months across the state.
The official handover ceremony, held at the Government House in Little Rayfield, was led by the newly appointed UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, with the supplements formally received by the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngo Josephine Piyo, on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
In her remarks, Piyo described the initiative as a significant stride in advancing human capital development in the state.
“This initiative is more than a health intervention; it is an investment in the physical, intellectual, and emotional wellbeing of our children, Even in the face of insecurity and limited resources, we are committed to ensuring no child is left behind.”she said.
The nutrient supplements were procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), with UNICEF matching the Plateau State Government’s contribution of $200,000, making a joint investment of $400,000.
UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, applauded the Plateau Government for its political will in prioritizing child health. She stressed the importance of early nutrition, noting that 75% of brain development occurs within a child’s first 1,000 days of life.
“These supplements are designed to fill critical nutritional gaps when breast milk alone is no longer enough. If we miss this window, the damage may be irreversible,” she warned.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adams Lekshak, acknowledged the importance of sustaining the initiative beyond this first phase, noting that over 141,000 children are eligible for the intervention across the state.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Mr. Raymond Jurit, said the supplements will be distributed by frontline health workers at the community level. He explained that the initiative is expected to reduce stunting and boost immunity among young children.
Traditional rulers and local government officials present at the event expressed support for the programme and called for increased community mobilization to ensure the supplements reach the targeted children.
The intervention aligns with Plateau State’s broader agenda to reduce preventable child deaths, strengthen healthcare systems, and improve early childhood development across all 17 local government areas.
