Gombe State Unveils ‘Garin Inuwa’ to Combat Child Malnutrition

The Gombe State Government has launched “Garin Inuwa,” a locally produced complementary food supplement aimed at addressing the high rates of child malnutrition in the state. The initiative was officially introduced by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, who emphasized its significance in improving child health and supporting human capital development.

Developed from locally sourced ingredients and certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Garin Inuwa is designed to provide essential nutrients to undernourished children. The state currently faces alarming malnutrition statistics, with a stunting rate of 50.6%, a wasting rate of 8.8%, and over 94,000 children classified as severely malnourished.

The program is a collaborative effort involving the Ministries of Education; Science, Technology, and Innovation; and the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project. As part of the initiative, over 1,000 students from selected schools have been trained to prepare nutritious meals, while 200 women have been empowered to produce and distribute the supplement, fostering both health benefits and economic opportunities within the community.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, highlighted the program’s inclusive and multi-sectoral approach, involving schoolchildren, women producers, and direct beneficiaries from hospitals. She noted that 300 secondary school students have also been trained in the production of the supplements, positioning them as key contributors to ending child malnutrition in Gombe State.

The launch of Garin Inuwa underscores Gombe State’s commitment to implementing sustainable, homegrown solutions to critical health challenges, aiming to significantly reduce child malnutrition and promote overall well-being.