Malnutrition kills over 650 children in Katsina state within six months, says charity organization

The International Charity Organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has confirmed that over 650 children have died from severe acute malnutrition in Katsina State this year, adding that it treated nearly 70,000 malnourished children in the state, including almost 10,000 who required hospitalization

Penpushing reports that the organisation stated that this alarming record was recorded following rise in the number of malnourished children brought to its treatment centres in increasingly critical condition.

The country representative in Nigeria, Ahmed Aldikhari in a press statement on Friday, emphasised that between January and June 2025, it treated nearly 70,000 malnourished children in the state, including almost 10,000 were hospitalised.

Penpushing further reports that organisation, which has been operating in Katsina since 2021 disclosed that the death of 652 children in their facilities was because they could not get timely access to care

The organisation explained that the crisis has been worsened by deep cuts to international aid, with major donors, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, reducing funding.

Penpushing also reports that the body added that the number of children suffering from nutritional oedema — the most severe and life-threatening form of malnutrition in Katsina State — has surged by more than 200 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The organisation pointed out that the impact of food insecurity is not limited to children, stating that a screening conducted this month in its run malnutrition centres found that more than half of 750 mothers accompanying young patients were themselves acutely malnourished, with 13 per cent classified as severely malnourished.

‘The year 2024 marked a turning point in northern Nigeria’s nutritional crisis, but the true scale of the crisis this year exceeds all predictions. An increasing number of people can no longer afford to buy food, even though food is available in the markets’, he said

Penpushing reports that a recent food security survey in Kaita, Katsina State, showed that over 90 per cent of households had reduced daily meals even before the traditional lean season began this year.

The organization explained that in response to the deepening emergency, it has expanded its support, opening a new outpatient feeding centre in Mashi and an additional inpatient treatment unit in Turai, bringing the total capacity in Katsina State to around 900 beds.

Penpushing further reports that the organisation’s health workers warn that the crisis is compounded by disease outbreaks, low vaccine coverage, limited access to healthcare and widespread insecurity in northern Nigeria.

The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), nutrition referent Emmanuel Berbain noted that the most urgent way to reduce the risk of immediate death from malnutrition is to ensure families have access to food,

“The most urgent way to reduce the risk of immediate death from malnutrition is to ensure families have access to food. This can be achieved through large-scale food distributions or nutritional supplements — or by providing cash support where feasible’, Berbain stated

Penpushing also reports that the organization in same vein, said it treated over 300,000 malnourished children across seven northern states in 2024 — a 25 per cent increase on the previous year.

‘However, in just the first half of 2025, the organisation has already treated almost 100,000 children in the Northwest alone, where it operates in Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states’, the statement reads

Penpushing further reports that in Kebbi state the body said it has recorded a 74.1 per cent increase in the admission of malnourished children into its facilities from January to June 2025.

The Senior Medical Doctor Hamza Bello working with the global Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), disclosed this on Thursday while interacting with journalists at the Maiyama Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC), Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi.

Penpushing also reports that, Bello added that from January to May this year, 24,784 children were admitted in Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centers (ITFCs), while 107,461 were treated in Outpatient Therapeutic Programmes (OTPs), indicating 13 per cent increase compared to 2024.

The Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima recently described the situation as a national emergency, noting that malnutrition is depriving almost 40 per cent of Nigerian children under five of their full physical and cognitive potential.

Penpushing reports that the Humanitarian agencies are appealing for urgent, coordinated action and renewed funding as essentials to prevent even more deaths in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced it would suspend emergency food and nutrition aid to 1.3 million people in Northeast Nigeria from the end of July, citing critical funding shortfalls.

FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or   event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]