Over 650 Children Die from Severe Acute Malnutrition in Katsina State in 2025

In a devastating report released by the international charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), over 650 children have succumbed to severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Katsina State, Nigeria, in the first half of 2025. The alarming figures highlight a critical health crisis exacerbated by a combination of rising malnutrition rates and significant reductions in international aid.

Since beginning its operations in Katsina in 2021, MSF has witnessed a troubling escalation in the number of malnourished children requiring urgent medical intervention. Between January and June 2025 alone, the organisation provided treatment to nearly 70,000 children suffering from various stages of malnutrition. Of these, close to 10,000 children were in such severe condition that they required hospitalisation.

 

“Beat the Pressure: A Comprehensive Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally.”

Buy book from Gumroad or Paystack

Ahmed Aldikhari, MSF’s country representative in Nigeria, conveyed the urgency of the situation in a press release dated July 25, 2025. “This year alone, 652 children have already died in our facilities because they couldn’t get timely access to care,” he stated, underscoring the dire consequences of delayed treatment in a resource-strapped environment.

The crisis in Katsina State is a multifaceted issue deeply rooted in socio-economic challenges, food insecurity, and healthcare access barriers. However, MSF attributes a significant part of the worsening situation to drastic cuts in international aid. Major donors, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, have scaled back funding for humanitarian and nutritional programs in the region. These funding reductions have directly impacted the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver timely and adequate care.

Severe acute malnutrition is a life-threatening condition characterized by extreme weight loss, muscle wasting, and weakened immunity, making affected children highly vulnerable to infections and death. Early detection and treatment are critical; however, the strain on healthcare infrastructure in Katsina, compounded by reduced funding, has led to many children arriving at treatment centers in critical condition.

MSF’s ongoing efforts include outpatient therapeutic programs, inpatient care for the most severe cases, and community outreach to identify and treat malnourished children early. Despite these interventions, the sustained funding shortfall threatens to reverse the gains made since MSF began working in the area.

The situation in Katsina serves as a stark reminder of the broader humanitarian challenges facing Nigeria and other regions affected by food insecurity and conflict. It calls for renewed commitment from the international community to ensure that life-saving nutritional and medical support reaches the most vulnerable populations without interruption.

Médecins Sans Frontières continues to appeal for increased funding and support to expand its operations in Katsina and other affected regions, aiming to prevent further loss of young lives to severe acute malnutrition.

 

💔 “She said she loved me. And for fifty-two years, I believed her.” 💔

Buy The Book "The Longest Lie: A Husband’s Journey Through Love, Betrayal, and Redemption" From Gumroad