Nadeem Feyrozai
32 years old Ms. Naseema Bibi came to OTP (Outpatient Therapeutic Program) at Basic Health Unit Khajak district Sibi Pakistan to get her child examined. She was very much concerned about the health of her 18 months old baby Naziran Bibi.
“My child is very weak she is 18 months old, but could not either walk or crawl, I don’t know what happened to her. I am not sure whether she survives or not. I have come to know that at Khajak BHU treatment of malnourished / very ill children has been started. I wish I could get treatment for my child. ” Naseema Bibi the mother of malnourished child talked to OTP in-charge Mr. Arif Ali.
The OTP staff examined the baby taking the MUAC (Mid Arm Upper Circumferences) , weight and edema of her baby. The MUAC of the baby was 11:00 points, whereas the weight was only 5.2 kg, these were the sign of severe malnutrition.
She was immediately admitted for treatment of SAM (Severely Acute Malnutrition) program of BNPMC. Her mother was provided 14 packets of RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) food for malnourished children.
The OTP staff had a Behavior Change Communication counseling session on IYCF (Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices) with Ms Naseema. The mother of the child was told by the health care provider that the RUTF (Food packets) may not be shared with other siblings of her baby. She was told to wash hands with soap before feeding her child, after attending washroom and preparing food.
In addition, the mother of the child has been provided information regarding complementary feeding, she was told to feed her baby by blending the four food groups. Furthermore, she was advised to continue breastfeeding her baby for two years.
Particularly, the mother of the malnourished baby was told to visit every week to collect RUTF and get examined her baby.
After the treatment of two moths at Khajak OTP the visible change was noticed. The MUAC, of the baby raised from 11:00 to 11:8 and weight increased 5.2 kg to 5.5 kg.
Ultimately, the health of baby improved, changing her health condition dramatically from Severely Acute Malnutrition (SAM) to Moderately Acute Malnutrition (MAM).
The treatment of the baby will continue for two months more until she gets normal MAUC.
Balochistan Nutrition Porgam for Mothers & Children is working in seven districts of Balochistan that include Sibi, Kohlu, Kharan, Noshki, Panjgur, Killa Saifullah and Zhob.
To ensure treatment of Severely Acute Malnourished children the program has established Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTPs) at Basic Health Units of all seven focused districts.
Those area where there is no BHU the program will established mobile treatment centers for malnourished children.
Furthermore, the Lady Health Workers have already started screening of under five children in program focused districts. The severely acute malnourished children are being referred to treatment centers. Lady Health Workers are conducting sessions with mother support groups on Infant &Young Child Feeding Practices and providing Multi Micronutrient Supplements to Moderately Acute Malnutrition and normal children to prevent stunting.
Writer works with Balochistan Nutrition Program for Mothers & Children as Behavior Change Communication Expert.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
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