Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has admitted 5,076 malnourished children in Kano State from January to April 2025.
MSF Kano Project Medical Referent, Dr Anthony Mbarga disclosed this while addressing journalists in Kano on Thursday.
He said the project supported malnourished children across the state, aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality among children aged 6 to 59 months.
“In Kano, we have one Ambulatory Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ATFC) for outpatients and two In-patient Therapeutic Feeding Centres (ITFC).
“The ATFC caters to malnourished children without complications, while the ITFC handles more severe cases,” he said.
Mbarga noted a significant increase in malnutrition cases, leading to the establishment of another ITFC at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
“Before the peak, we had 55 beds. Now, we have 178 beds to handle malnutrition cases,” he added.
He said in 2022 the ATFC received 7,450 cases, while in 2023 it received 22,862 cases and 43,564 cases of malnutrition in 2024.
“In the first quarter of 2024, we admitted 3,401 patients. For ITFC (inpatient) cases, we received 340 in 2022, 1,710 in 2023, and 3,691 in 2024.
“In the first quarter of 2025, we admitted 352 patients, and in April 2025 alone, we admitted 732, about a 48 per cent increase.
“Mortality rate in ITFC for the first quarter is 5 per cent, while ATFC has a cure rate of 89 per cent and zero mortality.
“MSF conducted 208 blood transfusions between January and April 2025,” Mbarga said.
He highlighted that malnutrition was caused by multiple factors including poor nutrition, cultural beliefs, poverty, and economic hardship.
“MSF has also diagnosed cases of Noma, a neglected tropical disease, referring them to its facility in Sokoto.
“We have increased our stock of malaria drugs, test kits, and other medications, as the peak season coincides with malaria.
“In 2025, ITFC admissions increased by 90 per cent and ATFC by 30 per cent compared to 2024,” he said.
Mbarga acknowledged the Kano State Government for its support, including the recent donation of an ambulance and supplies like F75 and F100 therapeutic milk used to treat malnourished children.
He urged parents to follow medical advice and ensure their children received a balanced diet.
He emphasised the importance of early hospital visits, noting that treatment, including food and medication, was free.
NAN
