Malnutrition is More Common Now

For a few months now, food has been scarce in our village and some of the children have not been getting enough to eat. When I screened the children in September, 12 percent were malnourished. In October, it was 20 percent. Children who are weak from malnutrition are more susceptible to disease, so I am very concerned. One thing I do to help prevent malnutrition is to treat the children’s infections and diarrhea. When children have infections, they get fevers and their bodies burn scarce calories. Diarrhea also drains their bodies of the calories they need. I also watch for signs of severe malnutrition. I saw one child this week who was dangerously malnourished. I referred him to the health center for intensive treatment.