A recent mass screening conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières and the Ministry of Health revealed alarming rates of malnutrition among children under five in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. Of the 97,149 children screened, 27% were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition, with 5% having severe acute malnutrition, surpassing the World Health Organisation’s critical threshold.
The lack of nutritional supplies required to treat moderately malnourished children poses a significant risk, as UNICEF halted its supplies earlier in the year. This situation could lead to more children progressing to severe acute malnutrition, threatening their survival and long-term health.
MSF representatives in Nigeria emphasized the urgent need for intensified efforts to address the escalating malnutrition crisis in Zamfara State and the wider Northwest Nigeria region. With malnutrition rates rising beyond critical levels, immediate medical care is crucial to prevent further deterioration of children’s health.
MSF currently operates multiple healthcare facilities in Zamfara, treating thousands of children for malnutrition and other diseases. The organization highlighted the challenges faced by communities in accessing functional healthcare centers due to violence and insecurity, urging health authorities and donors to expand health facilities and ensure consistent delivery of therapeutic foods to prevent more children from being affected by the crisis.