Medical, Services, Malnutrition

Health and Nutrition

Since two volunteer doctors (a pediatrician and a surgeon) arrived immediately after the catastrophe, 10 medical doctors, one obstetrician and one nurse have rotated through the temporary health centers to ensure both immediate care as well training and support to the local medical staff. Now a team of 23 nurses and 5 nutritionists is at work in 3 health care centers and 7 pre and post-natal and nutrition clinics; a mobile team reaches out to the people unable to arrive at the centers.

v 628 children with acute malnutrition have been identified and are being treated

v Supplementary food rations have been procured in cooperation with the World Food Program and UNICEF and have been distributed to 21,264 people (15,700 children, 3,700 pregnant mothers and 1,885, breast feeding mothers).Up to now more than 1 million pounds of enriched flour, vegetable oil and sugar have been distributed on a weekly basis. 36,432 rations of breast-milk substitutes have been distributed.

v Particular attention is being paid to the needs of expecting mothers and those with small infants, through the 7 pre and post-natal and nutrition clinics which monitor health and nutrition indicators and ensure vaccinations of infants.