ENOUGH of Malnutrition: Narada’s journey from despair to survival

In Matyazo village lives, Narada, a five-year-old girl, who recently began attending nursery school. However, her journey took an agonizing turn when she fell severely ill, displaying symptoms of severe malnutrition, causing her body to swell.

“Narada became very sick and it got me worrying. I decided to take her to hospital, “said her grandmother.

Recognising the gravity of her condition, the health center determined that they lacked the necessary resources to provide the required treatment and promptly transferred her to Huye main hospital.

Narada’s grandmother, filled with anxiety, feared that she would not survive given her situation at the moment. At the hospital, she received essential care, including a nutritious diet that played a crucial role in her quick recovery.

“I thank the hospital nurse for treating me and giving us nutritious foods, “said Narada,

Donatien, a dedicated Community Health worker responsible for overseeing 65 households in Matyazo village, emphasised the critical nature of his role and other community health workers. He said that he not only addresses prevalent health issues such as Malaria, Diarrhea, and maternal care but also conducts monthly sessions to educate parents and caregivers on preparing balanced diets for their children.

Donatien’s timely interventions in Narada’s case highlights the importance of the community health worker systems in safeguarding the well-being of mothers and children.

Gaudence, a witness to Narada’s journey, vividly recalled the initial state of severe malnutrition that prompted her transfer to the main hospital.

“In cases like those where a patient is swollen and showing signs of severe malnutrition, the health center transfers the patient and then we follow up on them after they are discharged by the hospital, “she said.

She added that regular screenings for children aged 0-5 is conducted every six months at the health center. If a child is identified as underweight and at risk of malnutrition, they are enrolled in a two-year rehabilitation program. Gaudence highlighted that sometimes adults found to be underweight also undergo a similar rehabilitation process.

She appreciates World Vision as a key partner who has been instrumental in supporting the community. They provide support to the Health Center, such as food supplements, fortified foods, and cooking materials for Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDs). They also conduct training sessions for community Health Workers on the internationally recognised Positive Deviance/Hearth (PDDH) Nutrition Programme. This Programme aims to enhance the understanding, skills, and competency of health professionals and Community Health Workers in rehabilitating malnourished children and preventing future cases.

PDH, a proven community-based model, targets at-risk children between 6 and 59 months. Recognizing the critical period of rapid growth and development from birth to five years, the program strives to ensure that malnourished children can reach their full potential, emphasizing the long-term impact of early malnutrition on physical, mental, and emotional capabilities.

The collaboration efforts of community health workers, heath centers, and World Vision emphasizes the significance of a holistic approach in addressing malnutrition, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children and adults in Matyazo village.

By Charity Beza Uwase: Communications Officer