Child malnutrition affects one in three children in Cameroon

On Wednesday 25 October, under the theme «Addressing child malnutrition by strengthening multisectoral action», Fundación Recover organized a conference in Yaoundé (Cameroon) dedicated to addressing the challenge posed by this problem in Cameroon, in particular, and in sub-Saharan Africa in general, to which about 60 participants attended.

The event began with the presentation by our General Director, Marta Marañón, who presented the work that Fundación Recover has carried out with the NUTRI-m project. Also present were Ignacio Rafael García Lumbreras, His Excellency the Ambassador of Spain in the country; Mr. IHON III, coordinator of the technical secretariat of the Interministerial Committee for the Fight against Malnutrition; Nene Marc, head of nutrition at UNICEF; and Ngo Sack Cécile Patricia, representative of the Committee. Among those present was Evelyne Nguenyi, Head of Nutrition at the World Food Programme (PAM), staff from the health centers with which Fundación Recover collaborates and international NGOs.

During the day, the need for a shared and holistic vision of the problem of childhood malnutrition was discussed in order to address it from a multi-stakeholder (administration, civil society and private sector) and multi-sectoral (health, water and sanitation, education and socio-cultural aspects) approach.

As noted during the day, Cameroon has an estimated population for 2023 of more than 28 million inhabitants, of whom 40% have less than 15 years of age. According to data from the country’s Ministry of Health and the WHO, there is a malnutrition rate of 32% in the western and central regions of the country, and 36% in the north and east of Cameroon.

With this data on hand, at Fundación Recover we launched the NUTRI-m infant nutrition pilot project in 2021, with the aim of benefiting the Cameroonian children aged 6 months to 5 years, contributing to reducing their mortality and improving their nutritional status.

The NUTRI-m project includes the continuous monitoring of the health and development of the children for a period of 9 to 12 months and a sensitization work for the children's guardians to improve their hygiene and nutrition habits, which is carried out through nutritional workshops, and through the recommendations and advice that all the children's guardians receive every week on their mobile phones, in order to improve their nutritional habits, hygiene and confidence in their health center.

In addition, where necessary, the program includes supplementation with vitamins, medications, hypercaloric milk formulas, and local preparations adapted to the nutritional status of the children, as well as hospitalization for cases of acute malnutrition.

The first experience was carried out in the west, at the Protestant Hospital of Baigom, and in the center of the country, at the Catholic Hospital of Santo Rosario de Mbalmayo. The project found that 9% of the children had symptoms of acute malnutrition and 32% suffered from chronic malnutrition.

Currently, the NUTRI-m project has reached more than 2,235 children and hopes to reach another 2,500 more in the short term.

As Marta Marañon pointed out, «The Nutri-m project and campaign are rigorous and have been successfully piloted in Cameroon, which is why Fundación Recover is prepared and willing to replicate and scale it in more areas of the country and the African region. The project is innovative and relies on technology to achieve social impact. Similarly, it is respectful of local culture and promotes the use of local foods to achieve a lasting and sustainable impact over time, contributing to significantly reducing childhood malnutrition.».

The day concluded with a practical workshop on the use of malnutrition management tools, which was attended by health professionals and experts from the Ministry of Health of Cameroon.

From Fundación Recover we invite you to collaborate in reducing childhood malnutrition by supporting our projects.

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