Dr. Christos Christou, the International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), reported a significant rise in the number of malnourished children in northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja after visiting Maiduguri, Borno State, Christou revealed that between January and August this year, there was a 51% increase in admissions of children with severe malnutrition compared to the same period last year.
He emphasized that northern Nigeria faces extreme challenges, including widespread malnutrition, frequent outbreaks of preventable diseases, and a lack of medical facilities and personnel, all exacerbated by ongoing insecurity.
During his visit to Maiduguri, Christou saw firsthand the work MSF is doing to support the local healthcare system, particularly in fighting malaria and providing maternity services. He also mentioned the recent opening of a cholera treatment center following an outbreak in the region, amidst a deepening malnutrition crisis.
One Nigerian MSF doctor remarked that this year has been particularly dire, with the expected seasonal decline in malnourished children admissions failing to materialize and patients arriving in worse condition than before, often due to limited access to basic healthcare and transportation. Christou noted that many organizations providing aid in northern Nigeria have reduced their operations or stopped altogether.
In 2023 alone, MSF treated over 52,700 children with severe malnutrition across northern Nigeria, a significant increase from the previous year. Additionally, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, have nearly doubled, with over 12,500 cases treated from January to August, further heightening the risk of death and malnutrition among children under five.
MSF’s Head of Mission, Ahmad Bilal, added that admissions to their therapeutic feeding centers have surged by over 50% in the past year, leading to overcrowded facilities and concerns about the worsening situation.