ADC challenges Kebbi govt over rejection of MSF malnutrition report

The Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the state government’s dismissal of a report by Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, on malnutrition and child mortality in the state.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Saturday by the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party, Abubakar Atiku Musa, the ADC accused the government of rejecting the report without presenting verifiable evidence or independent data to support its position.

The opposition party said the government should have responded to the report with facts and statistics rather than outright denial, stressing that residents of the state deserve to know the true situation regarding malnutrition and child mortality.

According to the ADC, if the state government possesses evidence that contradicts the findings of the humanitarian organisation, it should make such information public through verified data from relevant health authorities, research institutions or independent experts.

The party questioned why the government was challenging the credibility of MSF despite previously working with the organisation and acknowledging its humanitarian interventions in the state.

It also recalled that Governor Nasir Idris had in the past commended the organisation’s efforts and urged officials to ensure relief materials meant for vulnerable residents were not diverted.

The ADC further demanded clarity on the state’s statistics relating to malnutrition, child mortality and the condition of healthcare facilities across Kebbi.

Among other issues, the party called on the government to disclose the proportion of the state’s health budget allocated to tackling malnutrition and reducing child mortality, as well as measures taken to address the challenges highlighted in the report.

The party also urged the government to support an independent assessment involving medical experts and health organisations to establish the true situation on the ground.

According to the ADC, issues relating to public health and the welfare of children should not be politicised, adding that transparency and accountability are essential in addressing concerns raised by humanitarian organisations.

The party maintained that the lives of children and vulnerable residents should take precedence over political considerations and called on the government to publish comprehensive information backed by credible statistics to enable the public to assess the facts objectively.