From Abdul Ardo
There is an increase of Malnutrition in Bauchi State according to officials of Medicine Sans Frontier ( MSF) just as MSF says since 2022 , it has been responding to the alarming rate of malnourished children by running a 250- Bed In Patient Pediatrics Department (IPD) was established in Kafin Madaki General Hospital to cater for this risen number of Malnourished children.
Medicine Sans Frontier operates in three ATFC’s in Kafin Madaki, Kafin Liman and Miya Primary Health Centers all in Ganjuwa Local Government Area, this is in addition to new Community Level Activities known as Integrated Community Case Management ( iCCM/iCCM+) with the sole aim of expanding on the existing Community approach which include the treatment of Malnutrition at a Community level. Eight villages in Miya would be a test pilot.
Mrs Rabi Adamou the Bauchi State Coordinator enumerated on the Malnutrition conventional iCCM activities which include Malaria, Diarrhoea and Malnutrition diagnosis to respond to the increasing number of Admissions for Malnutrition in the region.
She said given the multifaceted causes of Malnutrition, it is imperative that the response is equally comprehensive and spans multiple sectors which include not only treatment but also preventive measures and livelihood enhancements.
” Despite the collective efforts, many challenges remain like limited access to Health care, number of qualified Medical Staff in Health facilities, provisions of Medications and ready to use therapeutic foods which are essential to treat Malnutrition in children.
‘Parent Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) activity will also be implemented in entire Bauchi State. This activity is aimed at training parents and caretakers of the children to use MUAC at their homes inorder to monitor and detect Malnutrition at an early stage before developing into severe cases.
Speaking on behalf of the State, the Chairman Bauchi State Primary Health Care Dr Rilwanu Muhammad, commended the efforts MSF and UNICEF are making by providing Free Medications which complement efforts of the Government in tackling Malnutrition, he however noted the surge in the number of Malnutrition cases in the State which is largely as a result of the influx of malnourished children from the neighboring states of Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, Kano and Taraba.
He said Government is aware of this and assures the Government commitment to finding a solution to the problem and called for more support from MSF and other notable Organisations to tackle the problems of Malnutrition in the State.
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