Governor Dikko Radda has inaugurated new stabilisation centres and Outpatient Therapeutic Programme sites as part of efforts to address child malnutrition in Katsina State.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony in Baure Local Government Area on Sunday, the governor said the initiative would provide free treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition while strengthening early detection and care at the community level.

He announced the establishment of two stabilisation centres in Daura and Baure, alongside 60 Outpatient Therapeutic Programme sites spread across 12 local government areas, including Funtua, Danja, Malumfashi, Ingawa, Bindawa, Dutsi, Kusada, Charanchi, Rimi, Mani, Mashi and Kankia.

Radda said the intervention reflects his administration’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and addressing long standing gaps in underserved communities.

The governor, however, raised concern over the misuse of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food meant for malnourished children, warning that anyone found diverting or selling the products would face prosecution. He disclosed that a mobile court has been approved to handle such cases and ensure accountability.

The initiative follows a stakeholders’ conference on malnutrition held in Abuja in November 2025, after which the state secured a £10 million pledge from the European Union to support nutrition programmes.

Radda commended development partners, including UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières, for their contributions to tackling malnutrition in the state.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Lawal Rabe, said the government had approved ₦700 million as counterpart funding for the World Bank supported Accelerated Nutrition Results in Nigeria programme to boost nutrition interventions.

He added that the administration is upgrading several primary healthcare centres to general hospitals across the state to improve access to quality services.

Chairperson of the State Nutrition Committee, Ruqayya Usman, said the programme has expanded access to nutrition services in previously underserved areas, with over 600 community volunteers trained for early detection of malnutrition and more than 300 health workers equipped to deliver care.

She noted that the new and upgraded centres will provide free treatment, improved facilities and stronger accountability measures to ensure supplies reach intended beneficiaries.

Also speaking, Chairman of Baure Local Government Area, Saminu Sulaiman, said the centres would reduce the need for residents to seek medical care outside Nigeria, while commending the state government for ongoing healthcare and education improvements.