A severe malnutrition crisis is unfolding among children in northern Nigeria, prompting Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, to issue a stark warning about an early peak in the lean season.
Dr. Simba Tirima, MSF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, highlighted this crisis during the presentation of the organization’s 2023 Activity Report and the essential medical data for the first quarter of 2024 in Abuja on Tuesday.
The report indicates a dramatic 100% increase in admissions at some locations, surpassing the previous year’s figures.
Specifically, in April 2024, MSF’s medical team in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, admitted 1,250 severely malnourished children with complications to their inpatient therapeutic feeding center. This number is double that of April 2023.
Due to the surge, the treatment facility had to urgently expand its capacity, accommodating 350 patients by the end of May—well beyond its initial 200-bed capacity meant for the peak malnutrition season in July and August.
Similar spikes in admissions have been observed at MSF-operated facilities in Bauchi state’s Kafin Madaki hospital, and Zamfara state’s Shinkafi and Zurmi.
In Kebbi state, the therapeutic feeding center saw over a 20% rise in inpatient admissions from March to April. In major cities like Kano and Sokoto, MSF inpatient facilities reported alarming surges in admissions, with increases of 75% and 100%, respectively.
Dr. Tirima emphasized that despite the severe situation, the overall humanitarian response remains insufficient. He criticized the reduction in aid, likening it to waiting for a child to become gravely ill before providing care.
He pointed out that MSF has been warning about the worsening malnutrition crisis for the past two years, with 2022 and 2023 already being critical. The situation in 2024, however, is even more dire.
He questioned what it would take for everyone to take notice and act, stressing that children are dying, and immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life.
MSF facilities are overwhelmed, resorting to treating patients on mattresses on the floor. Other non-profit organizations active in the region are also overburdened. In May, the United Nations and the Nigerian Federal Government issued an urgent appeal for $306.4 million to address the nutritional needs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
However, Dr. Tirima argued that this amount is insufficient and neglects other parts of northern Nigeria where needs also surpass the current capacity of responding organizations.
Other speakers at the event called for increased support from donors and authorities for both curative and preventive approaches, ensuring all malnourished children receive the necessary care.
The panelists included Dr. Abdulwahab Mohamed, Medical Coordinator; Karsten Noko, Head of Mission; Usman Buba Usman, Head of Mission Advisor; and Dr. Deogracia Kabila, Medical Coordinator.
They unanimously agreed that the crisis is further exacerbated by the lack of access to nutritious food, clean water, and basic healthcare in the region.
In 2023, MSF teams responded to the largest global diphtheria outbreak ever recorded, which began in Kano state and spread across the country, treating 14,832 patients.
The speakers called for immediate action to address the malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria, warning that if no action is taken, more lives will be at risk.
