More than 190 technicians reinforce response to child malnutrition in Bié.

Cuito, September 2026 — More than 190 health technicians have completed, in the province of Bié, training in Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition, Integrated Care for Childhood Diseases and nutrition data management. The initiative was promoted by the Provincial Health Office, with technical support from UNICEF and funding from the BFA Foundation.

Participants were trained in Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (GIDA), nutrition data management and Integrated Care for Childhood Diseases (AIDI). These skills are essential for professionals to quickly recognize risk signs, provide care according to updated protocols and timely refer cases that require specialized treatment.

At the certificate ceremony, Frederico Brito, Head of the Health and Nutrition Section of UNICEF Angola, argued that the strengthening of human resources and infrastructure should be directly linked to improving the quality of services provided to the population.

"Human resources and infrastructure, without quality services, do not solve the real problems of the population. This training marks a transition to more effective protocols, capable of contributing to more accurate diagnoses and a faster recovery of patients", said Frederico Brito.

The training also focused on the health information system. Accurate recording and regular data analysis allow for a better understanding of problems, track goals and results, and target resources to children and communities with the greatest needs.

Highlighting the importance of evidence for decision-making, Frederico Brito added: "Without solid information systems, we may not be responding to priority problems. Evidence helps us make decisions and take actions based on real needs."

A partnership to transform lives and communities

Since 2021, UNICEF and BFA have collaborated with the Provincial Government of Bié to improve nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life — from pregnancy to two years of age — in the municipalities of Cunhinga and Belo Horizonte. The approach integrates strengthening health services, providing nutritional inputs, screening for malnutrition, and community nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene actions.

Training of professionals is a central part of this effort. Better prepared technicians can identify malnutrition early, offer counselling to families, accompany children during treatment and produce more reliable data to support service planning.

For Vera Neusa Dias, Executive Director of the BFA Foundation, the completion of the training represents an achievement for the professionals and, at the same time, a commitment to improving the care provided to the communities.

"May the knowledge acquired translate into earlier diagnoses, more reliable data, more informed decisions and higher quality health care. When we train a technician, we are not just investing in a professional; we are strengthening the response in communities, supporting families and investing in the life, health and future of our children", he said.

At the end of the event, Isaías Cambissa Sambunga, Head of the Department of Public Health, recognized the importance of the partnership between the BFA Foundation, UNICEF and the Government of the Province of Bié, underlining its contribution to complement the actions of the Angolan Government.

The official called on the trainees to share the knowledge acquired with other health professionals who did not have the opportunity to participate in the training.

"Let's make a positive current to better serve the communities and improve our indicators", he reinforced.

Sharing the knowledge acquired

For Marina Pena, Provincial Nutrition Supervisor of Bié, the training brought practical tools to improve the monitoring of services and strengthen the organization of the teams' work. The official highlighted that "the knowledge acquired will support in-service supervisions, evidence-based decisions and the strengthening of teamwork".

According to the supervisor, the expected impact also involves improving the quality of care provided to children, adolescents and families, including the early identification of danger signs associated with childhood diseases, through the Integrated Care for Childhood Diseases strategy.

Paulina Jamba, Municipal Supervisor of Nutrition of the Municipality of Cuito, also highlighted the practical value of training for the daily work of health professionals.

"This training was a very enriching experience, as it allowed me to acquire important knowledge and skills in the area of child nutrition and health. I learned how to correctly perform the active and passive screening of children under five years of age with malnutrition, the criteria for admission to outpatient treatment, the therapeutic protocols and the criteria for transfer to the Specialized Nutrition Unit", she said.

The delivery of the certificates was part of the program of the joint mission of UNICEF and the BFA Foundation to the province of Bié. During the mission, the teams met with provincial and municipal authorities and visited health units and communities to monitor interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition.

During the visits, it was possible to observe the work of health professionals, community agents and mothers' groups who promote adequate feeding and hygiene practices, carry out active screening for malnutrition and guide families to health services.