KILIFI, Kenya – Healthcare services in Kilifi County are set to improve after the regional government initiated a training workshop on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM).
Y News has established that the county’s Department of Health has joined forces with Helen Keller International to train healthcare professionals responsible for managing malnutrition cases in local facilities.
According to the devolved unit, this endeavor aims to enhance clinical skills and enhance service provision by incorporating updated treatment guidelines.
“The training will concentrate on various crucial areas. Participants will be educated on correct methods for evaluating and categorising acute malnutrition, including the utilisation of anthropometric measurements and clinical indicators,” the county said in a statement.
Meet #EvelyneMbuche the founder of #KanjuOrganics in #Kilifi. Through Kanju Organics, Evelyne is teaching women in #Kilifi to feed their children a #balanceddiet to reduce rates of #malnutrition. We are excited to have #Evelyne in our #CommunityLeaders program.
According to the Kilifi Department of Health and Sanitation Services, the program will delve into therapeutic feeding protocols, outlining the proper utilisation of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and other dietary interventions.
“Healthcare professionals will also be instructed on efficient monitoring and follow-up practices to promote treatment consistency and favorable results,” the department further said.
Why malnourished children risk morbidity and death
Furthermore, the training will underscore community-based management strategies to fortify prevention and early detection initiatives.
Y News knows that children who are malnourished have a far higher risk of morbidity and death.
In addition to facing lifelong obstacles like stunted growth, developmental problems, and an increased risk of illness, severely malnourished children have a 12-fold increased risk of dying compared to their peers who receive adequate nutrition.
Stunting and obesity rates have decreased, according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey, while wasting rates have slightly increased, underscoring the continued need for focused treatments.
According to the report, the percentage of children under five who were stunted decreased from 26% in 2014 to 17.6% in 2022.
What the ASAL counties require to fight malnutrition
Overweight and obesity rates decreased from 4% to 3%, but wasting rates rose from 4% to 5%. Some arid and semi-arid counties (ASAL) exhibit Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates consistently exceeding 15%, even though the national wasting level is 5.0%. This suggests that these areas urgently require improved healthcare services.
According to the most recent Integrated Phase Classification for Acute Malnutrition (IPC-AMN) assessment conducted in February 2024, 124,000 pregnant and lactating women and 847,000 children between the ages of 6 and 59 months are predicted to need treatment for acute malnutrition.
Joy for Kilifi residents as the county launches a fully equipped modern … youtu.be/EPBUEArJE0A?si… via @YouTube
347,265 children under five are enrolled in treatment programs nationwide as of May 2024.
Meanwhile, the Kilifi County Department of Health and Sanitation Services, in collaboration with Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), is currently in the process of developing the Public Health and Sanitation Bill.
This comprehensive legislation aims to establish a strong legal framework that addresses public health challenges, enhances sanitation standards, and regulates public nuisances.
What the Kilifi Public Health and Sanitation Bill awaits
The Bill is focused on strengthening health infrastructure, ensuring water safety, improving food quality control, and addressing sector-specific diseases, among other critical areas.
It also emphasises promoting health education and awareness in alignment with national and international health standards to create a healthier and more sustainable future for residents of Kilifi County.
Crafted with input from experts and through collaboration with relevant departments, the document has been finalised and formally presented to the CECM Health and Sanitation Services for consideration by the Cabinet.
At the same time, the devolved unit is launching the “Kuwa Kocha” (Be a Coach) campaign to enhance early childhood development (ECD) through increasing awareness on the significance of nurturing care for children aged zero to eight.
The IFAS training has successfully entered its third and final day, with participants delving into key topics such as monitoring and evaluation, support supervision, and action planning.
Y News understands the campaign seeks to tackle alarming statistics, such as high child mortality rates (79 out of 1,000 children die before age five) and low vaccination rates (30% for children aged 25-35 months).
How the “Kuwa Kocha” campaign will be implemented
Additional challenges include low completion rates for antenatal care (5% complete eight visits) and high rates of teen pregnancies (11% of births). Data gaps concerning men’s involvement in maternal health, parental mental health, and early learning opportunities pose obstacles to effective interventions.
This initiative stems from a Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) workshop that engaged the Department of Health and various stakeholders, including health professionals, educators, and community leaders.
During my visit to Kanyumbuni Dispensary in Mwawesa Ward Rabai subcounty for World Water Day, I stopped at Rabai Rural Health and Demonstration Centre. I inspected ongoing projects like the new pharmacy store, renovation of male ward, and old pharmacy. Our goal is to improve our
Implemented by Springboard Communication Consultants in six counties with support from UNICEF, “Kuwa Kocha” seeks to establish conducive environments for children to thrive by ensuring access to health, nutrition, safety, and early learning opportunities.
The campaign emphasises the critical role of early childhood in brain development and lifelong well-being.
These efforts highlight Kilifi County’s dedication to advancing public health and sanitation for the overall well-being of its community.
