According to the latest data by UNICEF, WHO and World Bank 30% of under-five children in Tanzania suffers from severe malnutrition, 3,3% from acute malnutrition. Patricia is one of them. She was admitted to Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital a few months ago and treated by CUAMM’s team. Dodoma is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of malnutrition in the Country reaching 40%, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been working here since 2022.
Patricia is two and a half years old and comes from the village of Chiwondo, in the Chamwino district. Her aunt took her to the hospital as her mother stayed home to look after her baby. After a couple of weeks at the malnutrition unit, she was discharged. Once she returned home, she was supposed to take Plumpynut a few times a day for several weeks, to aid in her nutritional rehabilitation. Plumpynut is a vital therapeutic food made of peanut paste enriched with proteins and minerals. Patricia’s family was supposed to collect the necessary Plumpynut to help her recover fully at Dabalo health center, near their village where CUAMM works. However, something went wrong, and Patricia never received it.
Fortunately, another aunt of Patricia, went to visit the family and immediately noticed that the little girl wasn’t well. She decided to take Patricia to the Dabalo health center, where she was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and admitted for treatment. Patricia’s aunt quickly realized that medical attention was necessary to save her niece. For some time, Patricia’s aunt has been attending the Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND), community health and nutrition days that include activities to raise awareness about child malnutrition. On those occasions CUAMM provides community’s members useful information on how to recognize a case of malnutrition, where to seek help, and how to handle the necessary treatments at home.
It is also thanks to these moments that Patricia is now much better. After receiving care at the Dabalo health center, the little girl returned home and completed her treatment with Plumpynut.
Patricia and her mother at home in the village of Chiwondo
Many factors contribute to malnutrition. Therefore, an integrated and multisectoral approach is necessary to address this emergency in a sustainable way. CUAMM is committed to implementing the “Diverse Food Systems: Improving nutrition through support for a diversified and sustainable food system” project in Dodoma, with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Zanetti Foundation.
The Tanzanian government is supported in implementing national strategic plans for nutrition, with the aim of contributing to improving the quality of services in the Dodoma area, particularly for managing cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Additionally, the integration of early childhood development (ECD) is promoted, with the goal of contributing to the physical and cognitive development of children by encouraging interaction with the community and play, even through the creation of toys made from local materials.
