East Region : Malnutrition Gradually Coming Under Control

Statistics from Lom and Djerem Division of the East Region suggest that the nutritional situation has continued to improve over the years. During a visit to three health facilities on December 28, 2019, Cameroon Tribune was to ascertain that the number of deaths and malnourished children aged below 59 months has kept declining.

With the support of the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and other partners, Mandjou Integrated Health Centre has put in place a system whereby Community Health Volunteers, CHWs, sensitise nursing mothers and their families on the importance of good nutritional practices. Semboung Simon, the head of the health centre, said there were only 107 cases of severe acute malnutrition at end of November 2018 - out of the 1,500 children aged below 59 months received.

In 2017, there were about 160 cases of malnutrition, with four deaths. But in 2018, none of the 107 children consulted died, Semboung explained. In Guiwa Yangamo Integrated Health Centre, 7 new cases of malnutrition on average are received each month, with six to seven being successfully treated. Before now, there were 10 to 15 new cases of malnutrition each month, explained Djouldé, Head of Guiwa Yangamo Integrated Health Centre.

There were no deaths ...