Kano Govt Probes N500m Malnutrition Food Diversion

The Kano State Government has set up an 18-member panel to probe the alleged theft and illegal sale of therapeutic food meant for malnourished children across the state.

The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Yusuf, on behalf of Governor Abba Yusuf.

The state government reportedly spent over N500 million on the procurement of the Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, which was intended to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the commissioner expressed dismay that some individuals allegedly diverted the nutritional supplements for personal gain by selling them in open markets instead of allowing them to reach vulnerable children.

The panel has been mandated to uncover the circumstances surrounding the diversion, identify those responsible, determine the quantity and value of missing products, and recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective measures.

The committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary Pharmacist Aminu Bashir, has been given 14 days to submit its findings.

The chairman assured the government that the investigation would be conducted with transparency and diligence to safeguard public resources meant for children’s well-being.

The commissioner warned that the government would not tolerate actions that undermine public health interventions and vowed that all culprits would face the full weight of the law.