Two lives hanging… then saved: Majeste’s fight against malnutrition

A Fragile Start to Life

Just over a year ago, Majeste's pregnancy faced significant challenges. Without regular prenatal care and adequate nutrition, the risks increased, leading to conditions that contributed to a premature birth. At just seven months into her pregnancy, Majeste gave birth to two baby girls, Grace and Shalone. Their birth weights were alarmingly low, at 1,400 grams for Grace and 1,000 grams for Shalone. In these critical early moments, the initial care provided to the newborns was insufficient. Malnourished and struggling, the twins faced difficulties in their development.

When the weight curve stagnates

Time passes, but the children are not growing as they should. At six months old, the situation is even more worrying: Shalone weighs only 3 kg, while Grace barely reaches just over 4 kg. It is this visible abnormality that finally triggers awareness.

Noting the delay in growth and the distress, Your Majesty confides in us.

"A relative informed me that this was not normal, that these children were certainly suffering from malnutrition and that such cases are treated at Bertoua Regional Hospital," she explains.

A vital intervention supported by UNICEF and its partners such as Canada through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF)

Once at Bertoua Regional Hospital, the diagnosis is confirmed by the nutrition department. This is where life will change. Thanks to the support of UNICEF and its partners, notably Canada through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), the hospital has a robust Severe Acute Malnutrition Management programme, including nutritional protocols and Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), the hospital has a strong programme for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition, including nutritional protocols and free medicines for the systematic treatment of medical complications.

The twins are immediately put on medication.

"The hospital administered F75 therapeutic milk during the intensive phase upon admission, followed by F-100 recovery milk, which had a remarkable effect in a short period of time," says the mother, still amazed by the speed of her daughter's progress. "In just a few weeks, the one who weighed 3 kilos went up to 6 kilos, and the one who weighed 5 kilos went up to 8 kilos."

Radiant faces and a new future

Recovery continues with the introduction of ready-to-use therapeutic foods.

"We then gave them Plumpy'Nut, which helped them a lot," says Majeste, her two daughters snuggled in her arms.

The change is radical.

"Today, they are no longer malnourished; they look well. I can only say thank you to UNICEF and Canadian funds. God bless you," she concludes with a radiant smile.

The imperative to broaden impact

Like Shalone and Grace, many children are being saved from malnutrition thanks to joint interventions by UNICEF and its partners. However, unlike them, thousands of children in the Eastern region still do not have access to this vital care.

Severe acute malnutrition, when it strikes at an early age, not only affects children's physical growth, but also jeopardises their cognitive development and future.

While the recovery of these twins proves the effectiveness of these actions, it also reminds us of the urgent need to expand this safety net. It is imperative to bring these solutions to surrounding communities, provide hospitals with more nutritional inputs, and strengthen the training of health personnel so that every child can grow up healthy.

Thanks to Canada's generous support and the Child Nutrition Fund, UNICEF and its partners are providing children with life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic foods. Our collective efforts are paving the way for a better future!