By Adamu IMAM Bauchi
Medicines Sans Frontiers have raised voice for more collaboration in the fight against malnourished children throughout the state, saying the malnourished cases has double the last year's figures between January to June 2024
The state project coordinator Mrs. Rabi Adamou, stressed the important of coming together to support the malnutrition children before they need to be admitted to an in-patient hospital, adding that the admission is 127% and 123% higher than during the same period in 2023 respectively.
"We are very concerned by the catastrophic increase in malnutrition admissions we have seen in Bauchi, in the first half of 2024, according to her, although there maybe be many factors compounding this increase in admission the number we are seeing we are is seeing aer incredibly high"
"We are only just entering the peak of the season for malnutrition and our facilities are over capacity and having to expand"
Moreso, they added that in Bauchi state since 2012 by responding to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, Lassa Feva diphtheria providing medical care , training medical staff and conducting health promotion activities among the community
She further stated that, since 2022 MSF has been responding to the huge numbers of children suffering from malnutrition and currently runs a 250-bed ITFC and an- inpatient pediatric department IPD in kafin Madaki general hospital, noting that, they operate in three ATFCs in Kafin Madaki, Kafin Liman and Miya primary healthcare centers
However, in addition they maintained new community-level activities are planned, integrated community case management (iCCM/ICCM +) which aims to expand on the existing community approach and include the treatment of malnutrition at community level.
This will piloted in eight villages in Miya, starting in mid-July. MSF added that malnutrition to the conventional iCCM activities which includes malaria, diarrhoea, and malnutrition diagnosis to respond to the increasing number of admission for malnutrition in the region
Meanwhile, in her statement "Natherlia
Avril" a nutrition adviser MSF says given the multifaceted causes of malnutrition, it is imperative that the response is equally comprehensive and spans multiple sectors.
Pointing out that, "this includes not only treatment but also preventive measures and livelihood enhancements, recognising the geographically widespread nature of the needs, the response must mirror this extent, ensuring a broad and multidisciplinary approach"
They also emphasized that, the parent MUAC' mid upper arm circumference ) activity will also be implemented in Bauchi, state. This activity is to train the parents and caretakers of the children to use MUAC at home, to monitor and detect malnutrition at early stage, before it develops into severe cases.
Adamou noted that, "despite the collective efforts, many challenges remain like limited access to healthcare, number of qualified medical staff in health facilities , provisions of medication to and ready to use Therapeutic foods.which are essential to treat children with malnutrition"
"it is crucial that Bauchi state representative, national and international stakeholders work together and expand the response to prevent further increase in number in the years to come". She explained.
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