Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is currently treating 5,076 children aged six to 59 months suffering from malnutrition in Kano State, offering both medical care and nutritional support free of charge.
A visit to the Ambulatory Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ATFC) at Ungwan Uku Primary Healthcare Centre along Zaria Road revealed a sharp rise in admissions. In the first quarter of 2024, admissions surged by 65% compared to the same period in 2023—rising from 3,401 to 5,076.
Dr. Anthony Mbarga, MSF’s Project Medical Referent in Kano, said the In-patient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) also recorded a 48% increase in admissions during the same period, rising from 352 in early 2023 to 732 in 2024.
“The cure rate in ATFC is 89% and mortality is 0%, while mortality in ITFC is at 5%,” Dr. Mbarga noted.
Since launching operations in Kano in 2022, MSF has expanded its services significantly in response to growing malnutrition cases. Initially operating a single centre, it now manages three ATFCs and two ITFCs. The number of hospital beds has also increased from 55 to 178 to meet growing demand.
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The ATFCs cater to malnourished children without complications, while the ITFCs treat more severe cases. In addition to treatment, MSF collaborates with the Kano State Ministry of Health to promote hygiene education and preventive care among mothers.
At the Ungwan Uku centre, wards are classified into Green (non-emergency), Yellow (priority for admission), and Red (emergency/stabilisation cases), ensuring that children receive care based on the severity of their condition.
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