Luanda - The Child Health Programme of Luanda Province has treated and cured, in seven months, an overall 13,803 children who suffered from moderate and severe malnutrition, the provincial health director, Manuel Varela, said Thursday.
Malnutrition can be defined as a clinical condition resulting from a deficiency or excess, relative or absolute, of one or more essential nutrients.
The official made the statement at the re-launch of the malnutrition treatment programme in the community, in Calumbo commune, municipality of Viana, which was paralyzed since 2021 due to the lack of means.
The health official said the number of cured children is part of the 15,876 cases tracked in five of the nine municipalities that make up the province of Luanda and that the remaining 2,488 cases were transferred to hospital units for proper care.
Manuel Varela explained that the figures are the result of the programme launched on December 23, 2020, which involved 500 activists that worked with local community in the screening and distribution of therapeutic supplements, commonly known as "Papa", in the municipalities of Viana, Talatona, Cazenga, Cacuaco and Kilamba Kiaxi.
As from now on the activists will begin the screening for subsequent cure of children from six months to five years of age in the remaining four municipalities.
The health official, who was coy on the number of children to be covered said at least 20 tons of therapeutic supplements (Papas) have been made available for the programme to succeed.
Besides the distribution of food supplements, Luanda health authorities will be carrying out training activities with the support of the provincial government, the WFP, UNICEF, WHO, and the NGO World Vision.
