The Zamfara State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Board and UNICEF, has inaugurated a State Aid Diversion Committee to safeguard nutrition commodities.
The committee is tasked with preventing, detecting and investigating diversion of life-saving supplies meant for vulnerable women and children.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, who inaugurated the committee, said such resources were critical for the survival of malnourished children.
“Diversion of these supplies undermines public trust and endangers lives,” she said.
A statement by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Isah, said the committee comprises representatives of the police, DSS, and relevant ministries to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Permanent Secretary, Rilwanu Musa Zurmi, urged members to discharge their duties diligently.
Also speaking, the Director of Nutrition, Abdulrazak Bashar, disclosed that the state warehouse currently holds 43,800 units of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), 37,000 units of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), and 3,700 other supplies.
He added that the state had secured N1.6 billion in matching and counterpart funding to tackle malnutrition.
The committee is expected to conduct spot checks, monitor logistics and review feedback, while reporting quarterly to the State Executive Council.