Health workers build the path to a healthier future for children, one Vitamin A drop at a time

Freetown - In the heart of Freetown, along a sloppy valley, lies Culvert – a resilient slum community that bears the weight of both hardship and hope. With narrow alleyways twisting through makeshift dwellings, daily life in Culvert plays out in a setting of challenges.

As the capital city's pulse quickens with the hustle and bustle of survival on a sunny morning, Fatmata Turay, Betty Kamanda, and Patrick Amara health workers at the Jenner Wright Community Health Centre and Isatu Saidu, Nutritionist in the Western Area Urban District, with a passion for the well-being of children make their way down to the community for their regular community outreach session. The team navigates the narrow alleyways, carrying health supplies, including Vitamin A supplements. During these sessions, they administer Vitamin A supplements, deworming tablets, and vaccines to eligible children.

In Culvert and other parts of Sierra Leone, malnutrition, which is often silent like micronutrient deficiencies, remains a significant threat to the overall health and well-being of children, limiting their potential to thrive, learn and to earn later in life. According to the Sierra Leone National Nutrition Survey 2021 report, 26 per cent of children under five years are stunted, 5 per cent are wasted, and 1 per cent severely wasted. There are more than 60,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition annually among children under five years. More children are at a higher risk of becoming malnourished and dying if preventive actions are not taken. "The first five years days of a child's life are crucial for their development. Our goal is to make sure every child gets the nutrition they need during this critical period," says Fatmata.

Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health and partners to address all forms of malnutrition by providing children with basic but vital health commodities including Vitamin A supplements, through community outreach sessions.

"Vitamin A is not just a supplement," says Mariama Bah, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist. "It plays a vital role in supporting a child's healthy growth, immunity, and overall wellbeing."

The support from the Canadian Government has facilitated more than 1 million children 6-59 months (79% coverage in Semester 2, 2023) to access Vitamin A supplements across Sierra Leone. A total of 8,154 Community Health Workers have been trained to enhance their ability to identify and reach the most vulnerable children, particularly those in hard-to-reach communities.

Eight-month-old Hawanatu is among the dozens of children who have been brought to the outreach assembly point to receive her dose of Vitamin A.  As Nurse Betty gently administers the crucial Vitamin A supplement to Hawanatu, her tiny tongue darts out, licking tiny lips.

The outreach sessions extend beyond supplement distribution. It also incorporates innovative approaches to empower parents and caregivers to monitor the nutritional statuses of their children within their households and communities using Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tapes as part of the Family MUAC approach that was initiated in 2022.

Betty Kamanda is instrumental in educating families about the importance of the MUAC tape and how to use it. "MUAC tapes are a simple yet powerful tool in the fight against malnutrition. We teach parents how to use them to measure their children's nutritional status," Betty explains. "It's a proactive approach that enables families to keep track of their children's health and take action if needed."

After receiving her dose of Vitamin A, Hawanatu’s mother, Isatu, checks her nutritional status using the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Tape, given to her by the health workers. "Through the guidance of health workers and the knowledge gained from a previous outreach session, I am now able to monitor Hawanatu's health and take her to the health centre for medical attention if needed," says Isatu.

The impact of the outreach sessions is evident. More mothers like Isatu now feel equipped to monitor their children’s progress and take control of their nutrition. The health workers have given them the tools and knowledge that will help them ensure their children grow up healthy.

Isatu Saidu, a Nutritionist covering the Culvert community, emphasizes the holistic nature of their approach. "Our effort is not just to treat malnutrition; we want to prevent it,” says Isatu. "By empowering families with essential commodities like Vitamin A supplements, and knowledge and tools, we are creating a sustainable impact on the health of children," she adds.

As Sierra Leone keeps making strides to address malnutrition, the administration of Vitamin A supplements during community outreach sessions will go a long way in keeping the country’s youngest children nourished.