Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised serious concern over the alarming surge of malnutrition cases in Bauchi State, calling for increased investment and collaboration to tackle the crisis effectively.
Speaking during his send-off party on Thursday in Bauchi, the outgoing MSF Head of Mission, Adam Ngari, described the situation as overwhelming.
He urged the state government, alongside national and international partners, to expand efforts to provide critical care for affected children and families.
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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,” Ngari stated.
He emphasised that MSF, in collaboration with Bauchi State 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 Miya ward’s eight integrated community case management (iCCM) villages.
“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,” Ngari said
He said from Jan. to April this year alone, MSF treated 27,868 children for malnutrition, a 34.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
“While hospital admissions slightly decreased by 4.8 per cent, late presentation and additional complications such as kwashiorkor and severe infections remained the challenges,” the head mission said.
Ngari expressed satisfaction with MSF’s impact, 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.
Relatedly, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has commenced medical outreach on Lassa fever at the hotspot’s local government areas of Bauchi State to curtail the rising cases of the disease.
MSF Head of Mission, Adam Ousmane Ngari, disclosed this during a farewell ceremony held Thursday in Bauchi.
Ngari noted that the situation is under control and the MSF team and the state Ministry of Health is collaborating and strengthening plans to curtail the transmission of Lassa fever across the state.
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