Second chance at life
By Djimte G. Salomon
Two months ago, one year old Koumnomani Priscille was severely malnourished. Now, she is healthy thanks to a World Vision supported nutrition programmeme.
“When I brought my child at the nutrition centre two months ago, I could not imagine that she will recover very quickly like this. It is a miracle and I am very thankful to World Vision for bringing this programme in our community,” said Djane Marie, while she joyfully held her daughter in her arms at the Mbitkime Evangelical Health Centre.
Priscille was severely malnourished
When Priscille was brought to the health centre on August 8, 2011, she was diagnosed as severely malnourished, and only weighed 5.8 kg. Her middle upper arm circumference (MUAC) was just 109 mm.
We initially reported on Priscille last month, read her story here.
Priscille was admitted in the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programmeme, run by World Vision with the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Health. She was given Plumpy’Nut, Vitamin A, amoxicillin, and anti-malaria drugs, and returned for a checkup each week.
“This is the eighth time the family has taken the child to the health centre and above all, the parents are following the advice we gave them,” says Koumande Tchilgue, one of the Community Nutrition Relay Agents. “The programme is over-flooded here because people from regions not covered by the Mbitikime health centre flock here… We have treated 311 mothers and their children since the beginning of September,” he adds.
“Priscille’s life is no longer in danger,” says Libar G. Gisele, the Tara ADP nutrition Coordinator, while measuring her arm circumference on November 24. “Now Priscille weighs 7 kg, for 68 cm of height. Her arm perimeter has increased and is 125 mm. This is really encouraging,” says Gisele.
Plumpy’Nut is a miracle
According to the WV Chad Nutrition Advisor Fabrice Mobetty, “Plumpy’Nut is a miraculous remedy,” to malnutrition and it has boosted the programme impact in the surrounding villages.
“In Tara ADP for example, our initial objective was to cater to 89 malnourished children at the end of the programme. This is no longer the case because in less than 6 months, we have admitted 586 malnourished children in the Tara programme. This shows how important the need,” he said.
The CMAM programme in Tara and Lai is the result of SMART survey done in March 2011 which showed a high rate of acute malnutrition. The programme activities started in August and covered four ADPs, although some haven’t started yet due to poor roads. Of the total 14 to start, 12 have already commenced, and in Lai, more than 300 children have already been treated at the 10 health centres.
“As per the 47th week of nutrition operation, we have screened and admitted 915 children in the CMAM programme of 12 health centres,” says Fabrice Mobetty. “We have recorded 230 children completely treated and unfortunately 18 children could not be saved and lost their lives due to medical complications.
“There are also 33 defaulter cases because their parents may have moved to places where they are harvesting their production as it is the harvest time. In term of percentage, it is an important step because we have been able to secure of accomplishments beyond the ones accepted by Sphere indicators.”
“We are putting up a very strong defaulter case follow ups and home visits by community relays to ensure that these children are recovered,” said Ousmane Souleymane, a World Vision Niger CMAM specialist.
Challenges remain
The challenge that the programme faces is in paying the 500 community members who work voluntarily to screen malnourished children and refer them to the health centres. They are supposed to receive assistance in kind from their respective communities, but this has not been happening.
“We have been selected by our villages to play this role and we expect some assistance from them as we are doing the work but it seems that it is only the health centre that gives us a tea break when we work. We hope the situation will change so that we could continue providing this important assistance to the children,” Koumande Tchilgue says.
In support of this programme, World Vision Chad has received 106 boxes of Ready to Use Therapeutic food (Revive), in addition to a contribution from UNICEF of 1,000 boxes of Plumpy’Nut, worth US $63,000.
Life changes for Priscille’s mother
For Djane Marie, the Plumpy’Nut and consultation at the health centres have taught her unforgettable nutritional insights.
“I am better prepared now to provide good food to my children after attending sensitization and education meetings on nutrition. I will make sure that Priscille never falls back in the malnutrition state again,” she says.