HFDI Strengthens Nutritional Intervention For Children In Etinan LG
Hope for Family Development Initiative, HFDI, has facilitated a follow-up intervention for children at the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition, IMAM, Centre in Etinan, as part of efforts to address acute malnutrition among vulnerable children in Akwa Ibom State.
The organization said the outreach was aimed at ensuring the targeted children in the programme receive comprehensive nutritional assessment and management in line with national treatment protocols.
At the facility, the children underwent anthropometric assessment and other clinical examinations to determine the nutritional status and appropriate treatment pathway, and they were also supported with Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements, SQ-LNS, through the IMAM Centre.
HFDI said the children’s caregiver also received counseling on optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding practices, age-appropriate complementary feeding, dietary diversity, household hygiene and sanitation, continued breastfeeding, and the need to adhere to treatment recommendations and scheduled appointments.
To complement support from the IMAM Centre, HFDI provided additional household assistance including packs of Friska Instant Cereal and Soya Plus. The organization said the items were meant to improve household access to nutritious food and support dietary diversity.
HFDI stated that the intervention improved access to essential nutrition services, strengthened caregiver knowledge, and addressed household-level vulnerabilities.
The organization added that it will continue with household and facility-based follow-up to monitor the child’s progress, assess the use of the support provided, and reinforce adherence to the treatment plan.
HFDI reiterated its commitment to early identification, timely referral, targeted nutritional assistance and continuous follow-up to improve the nutritional well-being of vulnerable children in the state.