A Community Center for Malnutrition in Sudan’s Red Sea state takes on malnutrition

The center works onsite inside Hiya hospital and conducts visits to remote villages

Reem Abbas
malnutrition in port sudan
UNICEF
15 February 2022

Red Sea state has the highest prevalence of global wasting which is the most immediate, visible, and life-threatening form of malnutrition. The Community Center for malnutrition treatment which is located inside Hiya Hospital in Hiya Locality in Red Sea state is one of 25 centers to treat malnutrition in the locality and it receives large numbers of babies and children with different stages of malnutrition.  The centers are supported by UNICEF as part of its efforts to fight malnutrition and provide life-saving nutrition and vaccination services to children in the state. The health workers do the check-up and then decide on the necessary treatment which includes the provision of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a paste that can be eaten right away with clear instructions by the medical team. The center also has beds to take in children who need immediate medical attention.

Due to the high prevalence of malnutrition and low coverage of services in the locality, the center’s team conducts a weekly visit to a remote village to screen children for malnutrition and provides support to children who are identified as malnourished. Mothers and children are also vaccinated during this mobile clinic. The mobile clinic is also a critical effort because the Beja community which is the largest ethnic group in the locality are nomads and they often move to different locations based on seasons.

malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Aisha Al-Tahir visits the malnutrition center with her 8-month old to check his weight and receive services.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Mohamed Ahmed, an assistant at the center measures the mid-upper arm circumference of the baby to identify malnutrition before proceeding to measure his weight.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
The baby’s weight is recorded. Children receive RUTF if they are identified to be malnourished and they also receive vitamins if they are eligible.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
The baby’s height is also recorded to estimate if it matches the age of the baby and to identify the needed intervention. Stunting is very common in Red Sea state. Mothers are encouraged to return for regular visits.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Aisha leaves the center with the Ready to Use Therapeutic food (RUTF) as her child was found to be suffering from malnutrition. Aisha has to come back next week to assess the progress in her son’s nutritional situation.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Mohamed Ahmed and Mustafa Al-Sheikh; a nutrition supervisor at Hiya locality, and other health workers stack-up the necessary equipment as they prepare for a mobile clinic. The clinics are meant to reach the most vulnerable communities in the locality. Today, they will visit Tobjay, a village of nomads.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Malka Al-Hassan is holding Fatima Mohamed, her seven-month-old baby who only weighs 3 kilos. She is severely underweight and suffers from severe acute malnutrition.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Fatima requires Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and to ensure better treatment outcome, she is now receiving amoxicillin, an antibiotic. All children suffering from severe acute malnutrition receive oral antibiotics with RUTF. The child receives a bottle of amoxicillin.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Fatima’s appetite is tested and she absorbs the RUTF. Her family will receive RUTF quantity to last for one month because her family will find it difficult to visit the center on a weekly basis.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Fatima missed out on her most recent vaccination. The team proceeds to give her the vaccination before it is registered in their records. The mother is updated on the available vaccines and their schedule.
malnutrition in Port Sudan
UNICEF
Many mothers came out to receive the services offered by the UNICEF-supported mobile clinic. The team proceeds to screen and treat several children in the village that day.