Africa
A survey conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an NGO of French origin, shows extremely critical levels of malnutrition among children in Katsina and some states in northwest.
The humanitarian medical organisation, also known as Doctors Without Borders, disclosed this in a statement it issued on Saturday in Abuja.
It stated that the survey was carried out in three local government areas of Katsina State, in collaboration with Epicentre (MSF’s epidemiology arm) and the Katsina State Ministry of Health.
The organisation added that the survey, which involved 2,066 children in Katsina, Jibia and Mashi local government areas in July, which shows major nutritional crisis underway.
It noted that “with more than 30 per cent of children suffering from Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in some areas and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rates, it is the most dangerous form of malnutrition.
“People in these areas are at an extremely critical level of malnutrition according to the integrated food security phase classification for acute malnutrition.
“MSF has continued to see an increase in malnutrition admissions since the survey was conducted.”
The organisation pointed out that the level of GAM doubled since 2023 when the situation was considered dire.
It also said that aid in the region had never been enough to meet needs, drawing attention to the immediate additional support needed to avoid a deadlier catastrophe in 2025.
MSF noted that as a result of the situation, it provided care to more children in 2023 through four therapeutic treatment centres for malnourished children in Katsina State.
It indicated that its medical teams attended to more than 100,000 malnourished children in January.
The Country Representative for MSF in Nigeria, Dr Simba Tirima, said the organisation had consistently raised an alarm about the escalating malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria.
He added that findings of recent surveys confirmed worst fears that conditions have not improved, rather, they have deteriorated.
“This year, our teams across locations such as Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and Maiduguri have been overwhelmed by an unprecedented number of malnourished children requiring urgent care.
“We have utilised every available resource, from overflow tents to spare mattresses, to manage the influx of patients arriving at our hospitals.
“Without meaningful and immediate action, I fear the situation could worsen dramatically in the coming year.
“We recognise the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recent and ongoing efforts toward tackling malnutrition, and if all stakeholders increase funding and ensure reliable supply of therapeutic food, there is hope that we can save the lives of many children next year.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MSF runs nutrition projects in seven states in Nigeria, namely Borno, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi. (NAN)
7th December, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Médecins Sans Frontières
