The Country Representative for Medicins Sans Frontiers MSF in Nigeria, Dr Simba Tirima has stated that there is a malnutrition crisis in Bauchi State.
He spoke at a press cafe, tagged “Doctors without Borders” in Bauchi.
“MSF has a 350-bed capacity hospital in kafin Madaki local government area and three other outreach treatment centres but because of the high rate of malnutrition there is a need for a constant supply of ready-to-use therapeutic food.”
The Country Representative noted that there is a need to also address core morbidities like measles and meningitis which are vaccine-preventable diseases.
MSF Medical Coordinator and acting head of Mission Dr Thierry Boyom who spoke on prevention efforts said the organization is in a difficult position now as it treats more patients than it envisage.
“For quarters one and two in 2024 we have seen an increase in case management of patients at the stabilisation and internal traffic centres, we see patients from neighbouring local governments and States thus making it difficult for us to forecast.
“This situation makes us run out of stock of RUTF early.”
Boyom added that the organization is faced with the challenge of the high rate of defaulters.
“MSF you know is an emergency medical Humanitarian organization, but now it is into long-term treatment in Bauchi, our capacity is limited.”
He noted that apart from emergency, the organization also manage Lassa fever, cholera, diphtheria and other outbreaks.
“We need you journalists to raise alert for other actors and organizations to come in and support MSF as the situation of malnutrition is getting worse by the day.”
He further said that MSF is introducing integrated community case management, where community people can identify and treat simple cases of malnutrition in communities.
The State Project Coordinator, Rabi Adamou said that Bauchi admitted 5,787 and 17,223 children in the first two quarters of 2024.
“We are concerned with the significant increase of malnutrition admissions in the state and thus will need other partners to come in and support their activities.”
Nutrition Advisor at MSF, Nathalie Avril said given the multifaceted causes of malnutrition there is a need to address its causes which cut across sectors.
“There is a need to address food insecurity, water sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health and promote exclusive breastfeeding and livelihood.”
Executive chairman, of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said MSF has been of great help to the state in providing services to malnourished children.
“The State government is to establish a Ready to use therapeutic food factory to mitigate the problem of our stock of RUTF,” he added.
By Lizzy Carr
