By Nelson Manneh
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) with funding from the Japanese government has on Tuesday, 13th August 2024, donated Nutrition supplies to the Ministry of Health.
These lifesaving nutrition supplies donated to the Health Ministry are worth over $ 145,000. The supplies include 2,500 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food; 1 100 cartoons of F 75 milk and 100 cartoons of F 100 milk which will be delivered to health facilities across the country for the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition.
The supplies, according to stakeholders, will support the treatment of more than 2,500 under-five children with Severe Acute Malnutrition. Additionally, 1,000 cartoons of micronutrient powders to prevent anaemia in 10,000 under-five children, constitute part of the consignment.
Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique the UNICEF Country Representative for The Gambia, said malnutrition poses serious consequences for children, affecting their health, cognitive development and productivity.
Together with the Government of Japan, she said, they are jointly handing over more than US$ 145, 000 worth of nutrition supplies to support the treatment of more than 2,500 under-five children with Severe Acute Malnutrition and more than 10,000 with micronutrient supplementation to prevent anemia.
The UNICEF country representative said the supplies include 2,500 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food; 2,000 boxes of multiple micronutrient powder; 100 cartons of F 100 milk and 100 cartons of F 75 milk. These supplies will be delivered to health facilities across the country to support the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition.
“Between 2013 and 2019, the prevalence of stunting and wasting or underweight among under-five children decreased from 25% to 18% and 10% to 5% respectively. We can still do better with sustained commitment and resources. With strong partnerships, we could galvanize national efforts and mobilize communities to ensure that every child grows up happy, healthy and strong,” she said.
She said between 2016 and 2020, more than 21,000 under-five children were admitted and treated for Severe Acute Malnutrition, and more than 19,000 lives were saved through the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition program.
She added that UNICEF will continue to work with all partners and stakeholders, including communities, to promote Nutrition, and good health and foster healthy nutrition practices such as exclusive breastfeeding. “We have also supported a couple of nutrition initiatives like the Baby Friendly Community Initiative, capacity building of mothers to effectively use the Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape to monitor their children’s nutritional status and seek prompt health care,”.
