Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have discovered malnourished children in the Closed Controlled Facility (CCF) on the island of Samos. In a statement the MSF said that they have diagnosed six cases of malnutrition in children aged six months to six years.
They noted that this is the first time they have identified cases of malnutrition in this facility since the start of their work there in 2021.
Οι Γιατροί Χωρίς Σύνορα διάγνωσαν και ανέφεραν 6 κρούσματα υποσιτισμού μεταξύ των παιδιών στην Κλειστή Ελεγχόμενη Δομή (ΚΕΔ) της Σάμου. Τα παιδιά ηλικίας έξι μηνών έως έξι ετών διαγνώστηκαν με σοβαρό ή μέτριο οξύ υποσιτισμό – περιπτώσεις που απαιτούν άμεση ιατρική παρέμβαση.
— msfgreece (@MSFgreece) April 7, 2025
Doctor Without Borders emphasized that “financial assistance for asylum seekers has been suspended for the last nine months – since June 2024– as a result of which families do not have the means to buy the necessary food for their children”.
In response to the MSF report, “sources” from the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum “responded that in no case is this a generalized malnutrition due to living conditions, but rather isolated cases that require specialized medical monitoring”.
In other words, the ministry admits that there are malnourished children, but since not all of them are hungry, there is no problem?, asked newspaper documentonews.gr.
Furthermore, according to the ministry, “the specific incidents have already been examined by the competent health services of the facility and, where deemed necessary, referrals were made to the Samos Hospital.”
The question is, if Doctors Without Borders had not reported, would the children have continued to be malnourished?
The announcement by Doctors Without Borders
“Doctors Without Borders identified the first cases of malnutrition in children in the Closed Controlled Facility (CCF) of Samos since the start of their action in the facility in 2021. Six children, aged between six months and six years, were diagnosed with severe or moderate acute malnutrition — cases that require immediate medical intervention.
A Preventable Crisis: Inadequate Pediatric Care and Food Insecurity
Refugee families on Samos face extreme hardship, having already endured dangerous journeys across multiple countries. Prolonged food insecurity, combined with inadequate access to medical care, puts children at serious risk. Despite the life-threatening nature of malnutrition, pediatric care remains inadequate, not only within the CRC but also across the island of Samos.
“Children make up approximately 25% of the CRC population, yet pediatric care remains inadequate, not only within the CRC but across the island of Samos. Despite the dire needs, access to basic medical care is limited, putting children’s health at risk,” said Christina Psarra, Director General of Médecins Sans Frontières.
Furthermore, the crisis is being exacerbated by the fact that asylum seekers have been deprived of financial assistance for the past nine months, since it was suspended in June. Families have been left without the means to procure food, which puts children’s health at even greater risk.
Urgent call for action
Doctors Without Borders calls on the Greek authorities and the European Union institutions to take immediate action to protect refugee children:
Ensure adequate paediatric care and nutritional support in Samos.
Reinstate financial support so that families can buy basic food for their children.
“No child should suffer from malnutrition due to systemic neglect. Urgent measures are needed to prevent further deterioration of children’s health and to safeguard their fundamental rights,” said Christina Psarra.
Doctors Without Borders in Samos
Since 2019, Doctors Without Borders has had a permanent presence in Samos and provides primary healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services and mental health care to asylum seekers and refugees residing inside and outside the Closed Controlled Structure (CCS).
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