Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF, has raised concerns over a surge in malnutrition cases among children in northern Nigeria, particularly in flood-affected regions such as Borno and other northeastern states.
MSF expressed concern that, despite it being harvest season in the region, the number of malnourished patients admitted to hospitals continues to rise across healthcare centres where they provide services.
In a press statement signed by MSF International President , Dr. Christos Christou, the organisation noted that, contrary to expectations, malnutrition cases are not decreasing at this time of year.
“This year, when we would typically see a decrease in admissions, the number of malnourished patients is not going down. Worse, the conditions in which they arrive are even more severe,” the statement read.
MSF highlighted that many people lack access to basic medical care and often cannot afford transportation to reach medical facilities, resulting in delayed treatment.
Dr. Christou also explained that numerous organisations that previously supported the region, including Maiduguri, have scaled back or ceased their operations due to funding constraints.
“Over recent years, MSF has witnessed a significant surge in malnutrition admissions, with cases in 2022 and 2023 already critically high.
“From January to August this year, we recorded a 51% increase in admissions of children with severe malnutrition compared to the same period last year.
“In the first eight months of this year alone, MSF treated 52,725 children for severe malnutrition across Northern Nigeria, ” he stated.
Also, MSF pointed to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, which remains a leading cause of child mortality in Nigeria.
“Between January and August, we treated over 12,500 measles cases, nearly double that of the same period last year,” Christou revealed.
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