DISCUSSION.
Chronic malnutrition and stunting is a significant problem in the township and Zambia itself. These children have been commenced on the nutrition programme at NERI and their weight and height are monitored weekly. The prevention of malnutrition is such a vital issue as discussed in the literature, in particular in relation to the development of the child and his future role in society that it is essential that all children under 5 at the Linda province be screened by the CHW on an ongoing basis . Apart from this vital screening i4Life CHS hope to further educate and work with the Community Health Workers in the area of nutrition and Health promotion to work in partnership with the staff of the NERI clinic the Linda community to enhance the quality of life for the vulnerable child under 5. This can be realistically achieved by increasing their nutritional status and educating their families and the community at Linda in the prevention and management of malnutrition.
Maura Moran. i4Life CHS.
Our Impact on Zambian and Irish Children.
- i4Life established a Partnership with Neri Clinics in 2011. Neri Clinics is a Irish Charity who established a primary health care unit in a shanty town, Lusaka, Zambia.
- To date, i4Life has over 90 health care volunteers, Doctors, PHNs, nutritionists who have volunteered to work in Linda Shanty town and have established an under 5 nutrition clinic in partnership with Neri Clinics.
- Education of Local Voluntary Community Workers from the Linda Shanty Town and the Zambian Health Care Professionals working at the Neri clinics. This education includes the following. Health, Human Rights, Child protection, Vulnerable adults policy.
- On arrival at the shanty town, i4Life Child Health Specialist Team carried out a pilot study of children under 5 which indicated that 17% of children under 5 living in the shanty town were suffering from chronic malnutrition.
- In response to this survey, an Nutrition clinic was set up, in conjunction with a weekly education programme and all children under 5 are being screened for malnutrition. All children that present with malnutrition are commenced on a supplementary feeding programme under Zambian guidelines.
Achievements Cont;
- Mobile tent. A vital link between the Neri Clinic and the Linda shanty town was established in May 2012 with the introduction of a mobile tent which is used for Health promotion and education in the more vulnerable areas of the shanty town.
- i4Life have established links with District medical teams, Zambian Government Nutritionists, and the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.
- In January 2014, the Zambian Health authorities have recognised the value of the Nutrition Clinic and have commenced supplying the Plumpy nut for the children with moderate to severe malnutrition.
- In September 2015, i4Life commenced a pilot programme in two secondary schools in Galway to educate pupils re our work in Zambia ,Human Rights, Geography .Over 300 Galway students were educated in Human Rights.
- In May 2016, UNZA University of Zambia, recognising the value of the nutrition clinic has placed nutritional students for community experience at the nutrition clinic. Placbook has been completed and has incoporated i4Life’s child protection policy and Vulnerable adults policy.
