Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), popularly known as doctors without boarders says it has treated over fifty-two thousand children with severe malnutrition across northern Nigeria in 2024.
MSF’s International President, Dr Christos Christou, made this known while briefing newsmen about his visit to Nigeria in Abuja.
He said for the past few years, MSF has seen a significant increase in the number of admissions for malnutrition, saying between January and August this year, MSF has seen a 51 per cent increase in admissions of children with severe malnutrition, compared to the same period last year.
Dr Christos added that outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles are recurrent in Nigeria, and one of the leading causes of death amongst children.
The MSF president said the overwhelming levels of malnutrition, frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, lack of medical facilities and medical personnel are key contributors to the health challenges in the region.