South Sudan: RMF UNICEF Malnutrition Treatment and Prevention Program Jonglei State
Communities Delighted with Services: Q2 2017
September 29, 2017
Odongo Bonny Oryem and Dr. Taban Martin Vitale
Summary of Activities
During the second quarter of 2017, RMF was forced to downsize our operations due to insecurity at 3 of our field sites (Katdalok, Mogok, and Yian in Ayod County). Variable indicators are therefore not as high as expected, but nevertheless, our teams managed to accomplish the following:
- 1 OTP in Jiech has been re-established, maintained, and is providing quality CMAM and IYCF services.
- 3 existing OTPs and TSFPs in Boma were maintained and continued to provide quality CMAM and IYCF services.
- 2 OTPs, 1 SC, and 3 TSFPs in Ayod were maintained and remained operational, all providing quality CMAM and IYCF services.
- 12,135 and 6,661 children under 5 were screened for signs of acute malnutrition during the second quarter in Ayod and Boma counties, respectively.
- 388 and 198 severely acute malnourished (SAM) children were identified and referred to OTPs in Ayod and Boma, respectively, for management during this reporting quarter.
- 641 and 163 moderately acute malnourished (MAM) children in Ayod and Boma counties, respectively, were enrolled in a supplementary feeding program during this quarter.
- 6,410 and 482 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) were screened for signs of acute malnutrition in Ayod and Boma counties, respectively.
- 246 and 282 PLW were enrolled in a supplementary feeding program in Ayod and Boma counties, respectively, during the reporting quarter.
- 3,423 and 3,113 mothers and caregivers in Ayod and Boma, respectively, received appropriate messages on IYCF, strengthening malnutrition prevention measures.
- 6 and 6 IYCF mother-to-mother support groups in Ayod and Boma, respectively, were supported and continued to deliver IYCF services.
- RMF participated in the joint rapid response mechanism mission conducted in Kandak and Normanyang, during which our nutrition staff members were mentored and a number of SAM/MAM children and PLW were enrolled in the feeding program.
- 85% of the admitted SAM cases fully recovered, which is a good indicator, as the proportion of recovered children was above the 75% recommended by South Sudan’s MOH and international protocols.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Visit from CEO
Inspiration for our Teams
Facilitated the visit of RMF Founder and CEO Dr. Martina Fuchs to the country (South Sudan); in addition
to our operations in Juba, she visited RMF field operations in Jiech and Gorwai, inspiring our teams.
Gorwai
Basic Health Services
RMF has started working on the health PCA in order to continue providing basic health services to the people of Gorwai and surrounding communities. Our first contract agreement with UNICEF to run health services was a trial phase, and we are now pushing hard to sign another PCA so that the health program will continue in Gorwai. In addition, we are also following up on a cholera response program for the suspected cases that were reported in Gorwai several months ago
Additional Services
Providing Healthcare
This project mainly targets the management of SAM and MAM children under 5 and pregnant and PLW. However, some of the children and adults come to our units due to health-related problems, since there are no healthcare services in most of our areas of operation.
Some of the conditions our team sees:
- Malaria
- Respiratory Tract Infections
- Diarrheal Diseases
- Intestinal Worm Infestation
- Skin Infections
- Gunshot Wounds
- Enteric Fever
Supporting Staff
Working in Remote Areas
RMF’s relocated staff in various nutrition treatment centers of Ayod and Boma received adequate essential foodstuffs from Juba and continued to provide quality CMAM and IYCF services. (All our areas of intervention are hard to reach, and purchasing basic foodstuffs there is not possible.) The nutrition project offers employment opportunities for South Sudanese nationals at national, state, county, and village levels.
Communities Delighted
Improving Quality of Life
The communities in Boma and Ayod in particular are delighted with our services. During the reporting quarter, a total of 586 SAM and 804 MAM children, as well as 528 PLW were enrolled in our feeding program, respectively, hence improving quality of life for children and pregnant and lactating women.
Local Food Sources
Utilizing Untapped Resouces
Communities in these areas are now learning about valuable local food sources that they were previously unaware of; they are no longer solely dependent on traditional food sources of milk, meat, and sorghum.
More
Photos
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Numbers
Served
Approximately 140,517 people directly benefited from this initiative.
Success
Stories
An Encouraging Visit with Dr. Martina Fuchs
RMF Founder and CEO Dr. Martina Fuchs arriving at Gorwai and Jiech to visit the project site and encourage team members. Dr. Martina Fuchs was greeted by team members and curious children. The plane transporting Dr. Martina Fuchs also brought supplies for RMF’s field sites, including a new tent for Jiech.
Nutrition Education
The mother of a severely malnourished child learned perfectly how to feed her child the therapeutic formula milk by spoon.
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