In March 2010 an unprecedented lead poisoning epidemic was discovered in Zamfara State, northern Nigeria. An estimated 400 children have died from the poisoning. An international conference to find solutions to crisis, of which Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was the lead organiser concluded on May 10. The conference delegates endorsed a clear action plan calling for Nigerian government commitment to resolve the crisis.

“There has been plenty of talk, but now is the time for action,” said Ivan Gayton, MSF head of mission in Nigeria. “MSF will consider this conference to be a success when all of the poisoned children are living in a safe environment and receiving treatment.”

2012 Nigeria © Olga Overbeek/MSF
A child after having their blood drawn at MSF’s Tungan Daji clinic. The child has developmental problems from the long-term effects of lead poisoning.

Delegates included Zamfara state ministers, the Emir of Anka, Nigerian government representatives as well as national and international aid workers, scientists, health, environmental and mining experts. They expressed disappointment that the decision-makers from the Nigerian government – the ministers of Mines, Environment, and Health – were not present and that no concrete action by the Nigerian federal government was announced.

Most urgently, the promised funds of 850 million Naira ($ 5.4 million Canadian) for environmental remediation and safer mining that have been languishing for months while thousands of children continue to suffer from acute lead poisoning, must be released without further delay to the people of Zamfara.

The conference agreed an action Plan to set the path to achieving the three key pillars necessary to solve the Zamfara crisis: medical care, environmental remediation and safer mining. To succeed the Nigerian government, in particular the ministries of Mines, Environment, and Health at both federal and state level must commit significant resources and coordination.

Release of the promised funds is a key priority of the action plan, as is the immediate remediation of the village of Bagega where an estimated 1,500 children have been suffering from lead poisoning since 2010, and continue to wait for their village to be made safe. MSF cannot provide effective treatment in locations such as Bagega, which have not been remediated. MSF treats the sickest children at its inpatient facility in Anka hospital.

2012 Nigeria © Olga Overbeek/MSF
Children working at the gold processing site in Bagega, Nigeria. Ten-year-old Ibrahim (right) is responsible for adding the crushed stones to the funnel in the grinding machine.

“The people of Bagega are desperate for help,” said Zakaria Mwatia, a nurse and project coordinator for MSF in Zamfara. “Some of the villagers are attempting to remediate their own compounds in hopes that MSF will be able to provide treatment.”

“To effectively cut the pathways of lead contamination requires specialized expertise and equipment,” said Simba Tirima, a scientist with environmental engineering experts Terragraphics. “The people of Bagega need the urgently required assistance to provide a safe environment for their children.”

Read more about MSF's work in the Zamfara lead poisoning crisis

Read about the next steps and actions agreed on by those who attended the conference

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 MSF finally able to start treating lead-poisoned children in Bagega - 23.04.2013 16:55

 Time running out for children threatened by lead poisoning - 15.11.2012 12:03

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