Abuja:M©decins Sans Fronti¨res (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has urged greater collaboration between the government, humanitarian organizations, and communities to address the increasing challenges of malnutrition and healthcare in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Ahmed Aldikhari, MSF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, emphasized the need for this collaborative effort during an event in Abuja marking the organization’s 30 years of humanitarian and medical service in the country. Dr. Aldikhari highlighted that malnutrition remains a major concern, with MSF having treated 425,634 children for acute malnutrition in 2025, representing a 41.8% increase from the previous year.
In 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization projected that 34.7 million people would face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, with over 5.4 million children expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. From January to August of the same year, MSF treated 57,999 children for malnutrition in inpatient facilities and 220,995 children through outpatient programs.
Beyond nutrition, Dr. Aldikhari pointed out ongoing challenges with disease outbreaks such as cholera and diphtheria, seasonal diseases like malaria, and persistent maternal and pediatric health needs. These issues continue to strain communities and healthcare services. He stressed that addressing the root causes of poor health and focusing on prevention are crucial, particularly as malnutrition, infectious diseases, and displacement are interconnected.
MSF’s efforts in Nigeria have grown since its initial response to a meningitis epidemic in 1996. The organization now operates across nine states, providing services that include maternal and child health, nutrition, vaccination, surgery, tuberculosis, HIV care, and emergency response in collaboration with government health authorities and humanitarian partners.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, commended MSF for its three decades of service addressing conflict, displacement, malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and other humanitarian challenges. He emphasized the value of partnerships with credible humanitarian organizations to reach vulnerable communities and improve healthcare delivery.
Mrs. Elsie Atahor, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, noted that MSF treated over 400,000 children for acute malnutrition across northern Nigeria in 2025. She highlighted the ongoing challenges of insecurity, rising food costs, disrupted livelihoods, and limited access to essential services, urging for a focus on the underlying conditions driving humanitarian needs.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that MSF began its operations in Nigeria in 1996 and has since provided critical humanitarian and medical assistance to communities affected by various emergencies.