The Katsina State Government has commissioned two stabilisation centres and 60 Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) sites across 12 local government areas to tackle malnutrition.
Speaking in Baure on Sunday, Gov. Dikko Radda said the initiative showed his administration’s commitment to protecting children and improving healthcare access.
He said the stabilisation centres were located in Daura and Baure, while the OTP sites spanned Funtua, Danja, Malumfashi, Ingawa and other councils.
Radda said the centres would offer free treatment for severe acute malnutrition, while OTP sites would ensure early detection and community-level care.
“These communities have been underserved for too long. Today, that gap is being closed, and that injustice is being addressed,” he said.
The governor also warned against misuse of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), stressing that offenders would face legal consequences.
“I have approved a mobile court to handle such cases. Anyone diverting or selling RUTF will face immediate legal action, with no exceptions,” he added.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Lawal Rabe, said the governor approved ₦700 million counterpart funding for the Accelerated Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRIN) programme.
Rabe said the administration prioritised healthcare, noting that several primary healthcare centres were being upgraded to general hospitals.
He said projects were ongoing in Zango, Baure, Mai’adua, Dandume and other parts of the state.
Chairperson of the State Nutrition Committee, Ruqayya Hamza, said 60 OTP sites were established in previously underserved areas to improve early detection and treatment.
She added that over 600 community volunteers and 300 health workers had been trained to support service delivery.
According to her, accountability measures were introduced to ensure nutrition supplies reached intended beneficiaries.
Chairman of Baure LGA, Alhaji Saminu Sulaiman, said the centres would reduce medical trips to neighbouring Niger Republic.
