Malnutrition Crisis Worsens in Northern Nigeria: 51% Increase in Severely Malnourished Children Admissions

Dr. Christos Christou, President of Doctors Without Borders, reports a 51% increase in severely malnourished children admissions in northern Nigeria from January to August. This exceeds last year’s numbers, with 52,725 children treated.

The region faces overwhelming malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and lack of medical facilities and personnel, compounded by insecurity.

Christou witnessed this firsthand in Maiduguri, where MSF supports local healthcare. A cholera treatment center was recently launched due to an outbreak.

Many organizations have reduced or stopped operations, exacerbating the crisis.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles have doubled this year, treating over 12,500 cases. Unvaccinated children under five are particularly vulnerable.

MSF’s head of mission, Ahmad Bilal, confirms over 200,000 admissions in feeding centers and 52,000 hospitalizations from January to August.