SAVE LIVES OF 600 MALNOURISHED CHILDREN IN UGANDA

NUTRITION MANAGEMENT AMIDST REDUCED RUTF AND THERAPEUTIC FOOD SUPPLY

Background

Management of malnutrition in Uganda follows a documented pattern in the Ministry of Health’s Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) guidelines. In the management of SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) without complications, are children given Ready to use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) constantly for 8 weeks in Outpatient Therapeutic Clinics (OTC) or until when they have attained normal nutrition status.

Currently, the supply of therapeutic foods in some nutrition clinics in Uganda reduced a bit leading to the use of alternatives in some areas in order to manage SAM. High energy diets such as enriched porridges, high energy milk and the Triple mix “Kitoobero”. We have taught the caregivers of children with SAM how to prepare the above diets for their children from locally available food. This happened during the food demonstration sessions. They included a mixture of matooke + silver fish + groundnut, maize + meat + beans etc.

Food stuffs were displayed and organized in accordance to their food value for the caregivers and they were also tasked to organize them, to assess whether they have learned the concept. Cooking demonstrations were also conducted where caregivers were taught good food preparation methods which reserve food nutrients for maximum gain. We kept reviewing the children, conducting routine home visits and also referring whenever it was necessary.

Achievements

• Children with SAM got well and were discharged as cured.
• Caregivers have gained knowledge which has reduced the number of malnutrition occurrences.
• Food and cooking demonstrations conducted iron out nutrient wasting food preparation methods, hence reducing chances of food wastage.

Challenges

• Unstable supply of therapeutic foods for clients.
• Some caregivers cannot afford the food stuffs
• When referred, some caregivers do not reach the referral hospitals hence defaulting.

Great Thanks to the GlobalGiving Family for the financial support toward this cause!