By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi The international medical humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has expressed gr...
By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
The international medical humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has expressed grave concern over the sharp rise in malnutrition cases across Bauchi State, calling for greater investment and collaboration to address the worsening crisis.
Speaking at his send-forth ceremony in Bauchi, outgoing MSF Head of Mission, Adam Ngari, described the situation as “overwhelming” and stressed the urgent need for expanded efforts to deliver life-saving care to vulnerable 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 said.
He urged the Bauchi State Government, along with national and international partners, to intensify their support and scale up responses to the growing humanitarian emergency.
Ngari highlighted MSF’s collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Health, noting that the organization has been on the frontlines of the malnutrition response in the state since 2022.
He disclosed that MSF currently operates a 250-bed Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) and a paediatric ward at Kafin Madaki General Hospital in Ganjuwa Local Government Area. During peak periods, he said, capacity is expanded to 350 beds, with additional tents erected to accommodate more patients.
In addition, MSF runs three outpatient therapeutic feeding centres in Kafin Madaki, Kafin Liman, and Miya, complemented by outreach services in eight Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) villages in Miya Ward.
"This strategy empowers community health workers to diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea—bringing essential healthcare closer to remote communities,” Ngari explained.
According to him, between January and April 2025, MSF treated 27,868 children for malnutrition in Bauchi, marking a 34.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
"While hospital admissions slightly decreased by 4.8 percent, late presentation and complications such as kwashiorkor and severe infections continue to pose serious challenges,” he said.
Despite the hurdles, Ngari expressed pride in MSF’s work in the state:
“My happiness is that MSF has put smiles on the faces of so many children, families, and communities where we work.”
He concluded by calling for sustained and expanded support to curb the alarming malnutrition trend and save countless young lives in Bauchi State.
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