Parenthood in the first year of marriage is often a joyous and wonderful experience. However, for Salma and Yussif, married for just over a year, their reality has been a far cry from their expectations. They have been grappling with the daunting challenge of malnutrition, as their son, Hidir, has been diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
SAM is a life- threatening condition characterized by a child’s body being too light for their height, which can make them appear extremely thin and emaciated or the body can also swell due to fluid retention or both. This condition has turned their lives upside down.
Hidir was born healthy, or so it seemed initially. But Salma faced a problem: her breast milk wasn't flowing. Despite trying various remedies and seeking advice from friends, family, and even herbalists, they couldn't resolve this issue. Desperate, they turned to formula milk, but Hidir couldn't tolerate it, vomiting every time. As a last resort, they began feeding him "Mmɔri koko" (corn porridge), which provided temporary relief. However, Hidir's weight continued to decline.
Concerned, a friend urged Salma and Yussif to take Hidir to the hospital. Upon arrival, Hidir was found to be severely malnourished and was immediately admitted. He spent two weeks in rehabilitation, during which the healthcare team worked tirelessly to stabilize his condition.
Now, Hidir is on F-100, a therapeutic milk designed for rehabilitating malnourished children. While he has never been able to breastfeed, the doctors are hopeful that he will soon transition to Ready -to Use- Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
RUTF is an energy dense, micronutrient paste made using peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins, and minerals that has helped treat millions of children threatened by severe wasting – the most dangerous form of malnutrition.
Globally, 1 in 5 deaths among children under age 5 is attributed to severe wasting, making it one of the top threats to child survival.
A long road to recovery
For Yussif, Hidir's experience has been far from the fatherhood he had envisioned. "It's been tough," he admits. "When Hidir started getting sick, I was confused and questioned why this was happening to us. It hasn't been the same experience as my friends."
Under pressure from family, Yussif sought help from numerous herbalists, but none of their remedies worked. The emotional strain not only affected him financially but also damaged his marriage, leading to frequent arguments between him and Salma.
Salma and Yussif are grateful for the care Hidir has received at the Tamale West Hospital, where his condition has improved. However, their struggles are not over. The couple has had to make a long daily commute for four weeks since Hidir began treatment, which has impacted Yussif's work and caused significant financial loss.
Despite these difficulties, Yussif remains hopeful.
"I'm just happy that Hidir is getting better."
He is optimistic about his son's recovery and the future of his marriage and family.
Adelaide Liedib, the Head of the Hospital's Nutrition Unit, has been closely monitoring Hidir's case. She is optimistic about his progress and praises his parents for their dedication and cooperation. She particularly commends Yussif for his love and support for his wife and child, encouraging other men to follow his example.
As Hidir continues to recover, Salma and Yussif remain hopeful that their journey will lead to a brighter future for their family.
