Healthy and happy
UNICEF support helps a malnourished child grow healthy and happy
- English
- नेपाली
Dhading, Nepal – Unisha Kumal is a happy child.
The two-year-old has a sweet smile that can bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Her parents are extremely happy to see how healthy she has become in the last 17 months.
Born as the second child of Rabina, Unisha Kumal of Salyantar in Dhading, one of the earthquake-affected districts, Unisha was severely malnourished.
When she was brought to the Salyantar out-patient therapeutic centre (OTC) for treatment, then 11-month-old Unisha was skinny, weighed 6.2 kilograms, was 69 centimetres tall and had a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 11.4 centimetres. She was also a very fussy eater.
She was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) by Geeta Basaula, a female community health volunteer, during screening conducted as part of UNICEF’s child nutrition week following the devastating earthquakes of 2015.
She was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) by Geeta Basaula, a female community health volunteer, during screening conducted as part of UNICEF’s child nutrition week following the devastating earthquakes of 2015.
At the OTC supported by UNICEF, Rabina was provided with two-week supply of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), energy-dense peanut butter paste, to feed her daughter. She was also counseled on the proper use of RUTF and asked to bring Unisha back in two weeks.
“The RUTF started showing a positive effect on Unisha,” Rabina said.
Unisha had gained 300 grams in two weeks, thanks to the RUTF. In another two weeks, her weight had gone up to 7.5 kilograms and her MUAC measurement was 12 centimetres.
She was then prescribed ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) and her progress was monitored closely.
“I am very happy to see such a magical change in my daughter, I have a strong faith on the female community health volunteer and nurse at OTC.”
“They have taught me about the importance of nutritious food for my baby.”
The knowledge turned to be a blessing not only for Unisha, but her elder sister as well, who was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Similarly, the knowledge will benefit Unisha’s future sibling as well, since Rabina is currently pregnant with her third child. Rabina has also learned about proper pregnancy care and is following doctor’s advice as well as regularly visiting the primary health centre for antenatal checkups.
The expecting mother is hopeful that her third child will be healthy and not have to go through the same ordeal that her other two children went through.
