By : Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria - July 25, 2025 (Series News Online)
A stark reality has emerged in Kebbi State, where Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), reveals that it had approximately 400 malnourished children on admission on a particular day, highlighting the severity of the malnutrition crisis in the state.
Dr. Hamza Bello, a Senior Medical Doctor working with MSF, disclosed this alarming figure while interacting with journalists at the Maiyama Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He stated, "We had about 400 children on admission on a particular day in the state, which is alarming."
This staggering number is part of a broader trend, as MSF recorded a 74.1 per cent increase in the admission of malnourished children into its facilities across Kebbi State from January to June 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Quoting Dr. Bello, "From January to June 2025, we recorded a 74.1 per cent increase in the admission of malnourished children into our facilities across Kebbi."
The situation is expected to worsen in August, which is typically the peak month for malnutrition cases. Dr. Bello warned, "The month of August is the peak when the situation is expected to be worst." This has prompted MSF to call for urgent multi-actors support to address the crisis.
MSF remains the only International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) treating malnutrition in Kebbi State, which underscores the need for more support. Dr. Bello emphasized, "MSF remains the only International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) treating malnutrition in Kebbi."
To mitigate the crisis, Dr. Bello called for the ramping up of preventive and curative nutrition efforts, stronger Primary Health Care (PHC), vaccination, malaria control, and community-based intervention with government and donor support. He also urged authorities to prioritize infant and young child feeding, nutrition counselling, and access to nutritious food.
Two mothers, Malama Shamsiya Muhammad-Sani from Aliero in Aliero LGA and Malama Habiba Salihu from Jandutse village in Jega LGA, shared their testimonies, expressing gratitude to MSF for saving their children's lives. Malama Shamsiya Muhammad-Sani said, "Our infants were in critical condition due to malnutrition; we almost lost hope in their survival."
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