By: Haruna Kuyateh
The National Nutrition Agency NaNA wrapped up four days training for nurses on Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) management at in Patient Facility Management. The training was held at Mansa Wally Lodge in Lower River Region.
Bakary Jallow, Director of Programmes at NaNAunderscored the need for participants to be vigilant in living up to their expectations. Quoting WHO figures, he says some 10 million people die annually as a result of malnutrition which he calls is a major public health problem.
He says malnutrition is a preventable disease and therefore calls on health care workers to work in the interests of the children. Monitoring and supervision is useful for both the facility and at agency.
Meta Bah Nurse Attendant at Centre for Nutrition Recovery and Education in Basse described the training as important, noting that it has enhancedgreater understanding on management, treatment andcare of malnourished children.
She said the capacity enhancement is crucial in strengthening day to day functions of the participants. She thanked National Nutrition Agency for rolling out training opportunities for nurses.
Alpha Mballow, NaNA Senior Nutrition Field Officer thanked the participants for making the session more participatory in nutrition, noting In Patient Facility Management for Nurses in promoting effective management of integrated management of malnourished children.
Fabakary Bass, NaNA Nutrition Field Coordinator thanked trainer’s for the effective transfer of knowledge and skills on In Patient Facility Management for malnourished children. He call on participants to be proactive in the transfer of knowledge to others at facility level, in order to address capacity gaps, IPF protocol and guidelines at facility level should be respected.
Children’s with Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition IMAM and Severe Acute Malnutrition SAM need proper assessment and diagnostic.
Dr. Khalipha Gasama National Lead Facilitator of Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition IMAM Programme expressed on the performance of participants during the 4 days training and noted that more efforts is need to save lives.