The Kebbi State Government has strongly rejected a viral report alleging that over 400 malnourished children are admitted daily at a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-supported centre, describing it as misleading and unfounded.
Governor Nasir Idris made the statement on Sunday during a visit to the Malnutrition Stabilisation and Treatment Centre at Maiyama General Hospital, supported by MSF, in Maiyama Local Government Area.
“This visit is to personally verify the authenticity of the claim. Records show that a total of 1,406 children have been admitted since the centre opened in September 2024. The numbers simply don’t support the claim of 400 daily admissions,” Idris said.
He emphasized that such figures would suggest over 2,000 admissions weekly, which he described as “clearly unrealistic.”
Governor Idris expressed confidence in the professionalism of MSF but cautioned the organisation against allowing its platform to be used for spreading misinformation or political propaganda.
“We appreciate MSF’s global and local contributions. However, this particular report amounts to fake news. MSF must ensure its activities are not politicised,” he said.
While reaffirming his administration’s openness to constructive criticism, the governor warned that the state would not tolerate false narratives intended to undermine its achievements.
He also praised MSF’s partnership with both the United Nations and the Federal Government and pledged continued support for its humanitarian efforts across Kebbi State.
Governor Idris expressed satisfaction that MSF’s headquarters had already dismissed the exaggerated malnutrition figures published in a national newspaper.
During the visit, Dr. Hamza Bello of MSF gave the governor a tour of the Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Yunusa Isma’il, also commended MSF for its contributions and thanked the governor for the timely visit, calling it both proactive and reassuring.
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