Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates four therapeutic centers in Katsina, including the Maternal and Child Health Centre in Kofar Sauri, the state capital. These centers focus on treating malnutrition, an ongoing concern in the region.
When a child is admitted, health workers assess their nutritional status through various methods, including mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements, checking for bilateral pitting edema, and calculating the weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ). A MUAC measurement below 11 cm indicates Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), while a measurement of 12.5 cm signals Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). If the MUAC falls between 12.5 cm and 13.5 cm, the child is considered at risk, and caregivers receive guidance on improving their nutrition.
For children diagnosed with SAM or MAM, the next step is an appetite test. Caregivers are instructed to wash their hands and offer the child a cup of milk. If the child consumes at least three-quarters of the milk, it indicates they are capable of eating. However, if they cannot finish the milk, they are referred to a stabilisation center for intravenous treatment and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
MSF conducted a survey this year; in the Katsina, Jibia, and Mashi local government areas (LGAs), revealing a severe nutrition crisis in the state, with over 30% of children suffering from Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM).
MSF has called on local and international NGOs to contribute to nutrition interventions in the state, believing that external support would greatly improve their efforts in addressing the crisis.
Challenges Doctors Without Borders are Facing
Dr. Ali Baba Nuraddeen, Medical Activity Manager at the MSF-supported In-patient Therapeutic Centre, noted that while malnutrition cases are common, they tend to follow a cyclical pattern, with peaks and troughs.
During peak periods, the center experiences a surge in patients, admitting an average of 100 individuals daily. He observed that the increase in malnutrition cases in 2024 has been especially significant, attributing it to the rising cost of living, community insecurity, and flooding.
MSF acknowledges that the malnutrition cases treated at their centers represent only a small fraction of those affected in the community. In response, they have trained community volunteers to identify and screen for malnutrition, ensuring that affected children are referred to the centers for treatment.
In addition to the data gathered from patients treated at the in-patient therapeutic feeding center and outpatient units, the impact of MSF’s work is also reflected in visits from neighbouring communities.
The nutrition center faces a considerable challenge due to the increasing number of admissions, which disrupts their ability to implement plans effectively. The unpredictable workload makes it difficult for the center to allocate resources and prioritise care, hindering their capacity to provide consistent and comprehensive nutrition support to those in need.
Despite these challenges, MSF’s interventions align with the Ministry of Health’s goal of providing efficient, high-quality healthcare to Nigerians, particularly those in remote areas. By addressing the growing nutrition crisis in Katsina, MSF contributes significantly to the broader healthcare priorities of the Nigerian government, especially in regions where healthcare resources are scarce and the need is most urgent.
