HONIARA, 04 August 2014 – Around 30 health workers throughout Solomon Islands were trained last week on the integrated management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The training is the first of its kind in Solomon Islands.
“This training helped to strengthen our child health programming and activities in Solomon Islands. Children of Solomon Islands will now receive the appropriate treatment of SAM whether at the health facility or at home,” said Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Mr. Yun Jong Kang.
He explained that the implication for high rates of stunting is that children are exposed to chronic under nutrition. “These conditions reduce children’s resistance to infections and if not given the appropriate treatment can be fatal. After the recent floods at least five infant deaths were recorded with cause of death cited as Severe Acute Malnutrition,” he said.
He added that “According to the Demographic Household Survey in 2007, 11.8 percent of children were underweight, 4.3 wasting, 33 stunting and 49 percent of children under 5 were anemic.”
Mr Kang said, “UNICEF is happy to support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to enhance capacity relating to the management of SAM and the plan to have an integrated approach for its management in the Solomon Islands”.
Mr. Kang also acknowledged the great partnership between UNICEF and MHMS which would address the need to properly resource the National Referral Hospital’s (NRH) Pediatric Ward.
The workshop is facilitated by Dr. Sitender Aneja Patwari, and Dr. Praveen Jumar who are both from the Lady Hardinge Medical College, in India. The training ended on Friday, August 1st.
The training and the actual setting up of SAM centers at the NRH and flood affected communities is funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund through UNICEF.
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and our work in the Pacific visit: http://www.unicefpacific.org
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