MSF discloses 27,868 children treated for malnutrition, seeks multi-agency care for affected children and families
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“Bauchi State is experiencing an unprecedented surge in malnutrition, and our facilities are already operating beyond capacity, even though we are still early in the peak season” – MSF Head of Mission Ngari.
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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised the alarm over the surge of malnutrition cases in Bauchi, seeking increased investment and collaboration to tackle the menace effectively in one of the major food-producing states in Nigeria until terror merchants began preventing farming.
MSF said from January to April 2025 (M4 2025), it treated 27,868 children in the state for malnutrition, a 34.5 per cent rise over the figure for M4 2024.
The situation is overwhelming, said MSF Head of Mission Adam Ngari at his send-off party on Thursday in Bauchi.
He urged the state government, alongside national and international partners, to expand efforts to provide critical care for affected children and families.
“Bauchi State is experiencing an unprecedented surge in malnutrition, and our facilities are already operating beyond capacity, even though we are still early in the peak season,” Ngari warned.
He said MSF, in collaboration with Bauchi Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, “is working tirelessly to ensure that families receive the care they desperately need.
“Since 2022, MSF has been on the frontlines responding to the malnutrition crisis in the state.
“The organisation operates a 250-bed inpatient therapeutic feeding centre and a paediatric ward at Kafin Madaki General Hospital in Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
“During peak periods, the capacity is increased to 350 beds, with additional tents erected to accommodate more patients.”
Ngari added that MSF runs three outpatient therapeutic feeding centres in Kafin Madaki, Kafin Liman, and Miya, along with outreach activities in eight integrated community case management (iCCM) villages in Miya ward.
“This strategy empowers community health workers to diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses like malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea, bringing essential healthcare closer to remote communities.”
He disclosed that from January to April 2025 (M4 2025) this year alone, MSF treated 27,868 children for malnutrition, a 34.5 per cent increase compared to (M4 2024).
“While hospital admissions slightly decreased by 4.8 per cent, late presentation and additional complications such as kwashiorkor and severe infections remained the challenges.
Ngari expressed satisfaction with the impact being made by MSF, saying: “My happiness is that MSF has put smiles on the faces of so many children, families, and communities where we work.”
He reiterated the urgent need for expanded support to curb the rising malnutrition numbers and save countless young lives in the state.
However, Ngari commended medical outreach on Lassa fever at hotspot Council areas of Bauchi to curtail the rising cases of the disease.
The situation is under control, he stressed, adding that the MSF team and the Bauchi Ministry of Health are collaborating and strengthening plans to stem Lassa fever transmission across the state.
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