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

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.