A non governmental organization NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) popularly known as doctors without borders, has opened two additional outpatient treatment facilities in Kano state Nigeria, in response to the rising cases of malnutrition in the region.
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This was contained in a document made available to Paradigm News by MSF Kano office.
According to MSF, this move aims to provide critical treatment to children suffering from malnutrition and malaria, which have a complex and interconnected relationship.
The new facilities, located in Kumbotso and Rijiyar Lemo, will operate alongside the existing one in Unguwa Uku.
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This expansion comes as the 75-bed inpatient facility in Unguwa Uku reached full capacity, prompting the opening of an additional 90-bed centre at Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital.
MSF has treated over 40,000 children for malnutrition in Kano in 2024, with most of them also testing positive for malaria.
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The organization has observed a distressing increase in malnutrition cases, with 46,304 children treated in 2024, up from 23,800 in 2023 and 7,798 in 2022 .
To address the malnutrition crisis, MSF advocates for a multi-faceted approach, including strengthening healthcare facilities, reinforcing vaccine programs, enhancing access to nutritious food, improving water and sanitation, and raising awareness.