By: Haruna Kuyateh
National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) in partnership with Regional Health Directorate, Farafenni have wrapped up an organised two-day village support groups (VSGs) training on basic nutrition and screening using Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) approach.
The training taken place in Ngain Sanjal and Njaba Kunda, Sabach Sanjal and Central Badibou Districts in North Bank Region, and was funded by World Food Program (WFP). It targeted 48 members of the VSGs drawn from 11 different communities.
The topics covered during the course of the training included introduction and concept of BFCI, maternal nutrition, nutrients: sources and functions, causes, consequences and prevention of malnutrition, importance and benefit of breastfeeding and breast milk, how breastfeeding works ( physiology), initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, complimentary feeding and growth monitoring and promotion (Active Screening).
Speaking at both Njaba Kunda and Ngain Sanjal, North Bank Region, Musa Dahaba, Senior Program Officer for NaNA described the capacity building of the Village Support Groups and other stakeholders as part of their mandate to promote the nutritional health of maternal mothers and children.
He underscored the importance of working with the Village Support Groups saying is to intensify public awareness on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and promote the preparation of complementary food for the under-5 children to boost up nutritional level and address malnutrition.
Mr Dahaba commended the VSGs for their commitment in intensifying efforts in promoting nutritional level of pregnant women and children and advocate for early bookings of maternal women to health facility.
Fabakary Bass Nutrition Field Coordinator for NaNA said the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of mothers on how to measure nutritional level of children, using the concept of (MUAC).
He noted that the concept would help mothers to closely monitor the progress on monthly basis by assessing the nutritional status of children 6 – 59 months. He called on parents to work with Community Health Nurses to promote the adoption of best practices, citing formulation of complementary food, hygiene and sanitation.
Kebba Saine Village Health Worker of Nawleru called on Ministry of Health to revive Primary Health Care by providing drugs, noting that the practice in the past help to support families to receive initial treatment before reaching health center.
He further urged men to support women at all levels to improve the health and well-being of women and children.
Ebrima Flex Colley Health Promotion and Education Officer at Farafenni Health Region described malnutrition as a threat to child development and growth and urged them to use local resources on the preparation of complementary food .
Noting that purpose of the training is to empower mothers to acquire skills and knowledge on how to monitor and report malnutrition among the under five children’s to Community Health Nurses for action and support.
Yusupha Jawo NaNA Nutrition Field Officer at Farafenni Health Region, Fatou Keita of Nawleru and Yasin Ndow of Kerr Pateh Koreh thanked NaNA for creating public awareness on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for a period of six months and its benefits on the health of a child.
Abubacar Y Jarju Community Health Nurse for Lower and Central Badibou and Kumba Joof, a breastfeeding mother from Tawakaltu and member of VSGs said the training will enhance uptake of vitamin foods, early bookings at clinic to improve maternal health among others.
