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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has expressed deep concern over the surge in malnourished children admitted to its facilities in Kebbi State, with over 400 cases recorded daily.
MSF highlighted that high inflation, poverty, limited access to healthcare, desertification, and reduced agricultural productivity, particularly during planting seasons, are driving the increase. The organisation stressed the urgent need for additional non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international partners to intervene, as MSF is overwhelmed by the crisis.
Dr Hamza Bello, Senior Medical Doctor at MSF’s Maiyama Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) in Kebbi State, shared these insights during an interactive session with journalists following an inspection of MSF facilities in Jega and Maiyama towns on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Bello noted that many parents, upon learning about MSF’s free medical services, travel up to 100 km to the Maiyama centre to seek treatment for their malnourished children.
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Recounting MSF’s experience in Kebbi State, he said, “There is an unprecedented increase in severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admissions, with over 400 per day in some cases. August is typically the peak, and we expect the situation to worsen. MSF is the only international organisation treating SAM in Kebbi. Some patients travel over 100 km to this centre to save their babies. We are overwhelmed, and there is an urgent need for multi-actor support.”
He disclosed that in 2022, MSF recorded 2,652 inpatient admissions, while in 2024, 51,139 malnourished children were treated. Under SAM and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), 9,747 patients were treated in 2022, compared to 51,139 in 2024—a fivefold increase.
Bello added that in 2025, during weeks 27 and 28, 1,494 and 1,647 patients were admitted, respectively, compelling MSF to expand its bed capacity.
He appealed to other international organisations to support efforts to address the malnutrition crisis in Kebbi, noting that the state government is attempting to complement MSF’s work to curb the surge.
