The International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Dr. Christos Christou, has raised serious concerns about the rising number of malnourished children in northern Nigeria. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja after visiting Maiduguri, Christou highlighted the 51 percent increase in admissions of children suffering from severe malnutrition between January and August 2023, compared to the same period last year.
Christou noted that people in northern Nigeria are facing a dire situation. Alongside widespread malnutrition, frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, and a lack of access to adequate medical care are making things even worse. The region is further plagued by ongoing insecurity, which complicates efforts to provide assistance.
During his visit to Maiduguri, Christou observed firsthand the challenging conditions in hospitals and clinics where MSF operates. MSF is working to support the local healthcare system by treating malaria and other diseases, offering maternity services, and responding to emergencies like the recent cholera outbreak. However, these efforts are being overshadowed by what he described as a "catastrophic" malnutrition crisis.
Christou shared the account of a Nigerian MSF doctor who has worked in the region for over eight years. The doctor noted that while the malnutrition crisis has always been severe, this year stands out as especially devastating. He explained that during what should be a less critical period, the number of malnourished children being admitted is not decreasing, and the severity of their condition is far worse than in previous years. Many families are unable to access medical care in time due to the lack of resources or transport, leading to late and often life-threatening admissions.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that many aid organizations operating in the region have been forced to reduce their support due to budget cuts or other limitations. This has left MSF struggling to handle the growing needs on the ground. Over the first eight months of 2023, MSF treated 52,725 children with severe malnutrition, a life-threatening condition.
In addition to malnutrition, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, have become increasingly common in northern Nigeria. Christou emphasized that these diseases are a leading cause of death among children under five and significantly increase the risk of acute malnutrition. So far in 2023, MSF has treated over 12,500 cases of measles, nearly double the number from the same period in 2022.
Ahmad Bilal, MSF’s head of mission, confirmed the scale of the crisis. He reported that in the regions where MSF operates, there have been 200,000 admissions in therapeutic feeding centers, with a 50 percent increase in outpatient admissions and a 60 percent rise in inpatient admissions compared to last year. At times, the situation has been so critical that two children have had to share one hospital bed.
The ongoing surge in malnutrition and disease outbreaks is a growing concern for MSF, and they continue to call for urgent action to address this humanitarian crisis.