In the Hadjer Lamis region of Chad, where preventable childhood diseases exacerbate malnutrition, hundreds of mothers are faced with the daunting task of traveling long distances to seek medical care for their babies. The situation is dire, with many children suffering from malnutrition and other common illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia. In response to this crisis, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has launched a comprehensive program to address the nutritional needs of children in the region.
At the N’doukouri health center, a gathering of around 200 women takes place early in the morning. These mothers are meeting with medical staff from MSF to discuss the nutritional status of their children. Many of them are already enrolled in a nutrition program, while others are being screened for malnutrition for the first time. The stories of mothers like Mariam Abdoulkarim, whose son has suffered from malnutrition multiple times, highlight the challenges faced by families in the region.
MSF’s emergency malnutrition response, initiated in September 2021, has evolved into a long-term project aimed at addressing recurrent nutritional crises in the Hadjer Lamis region. The organization supports inpatient therapeutic feeding centers (ITFCs) and ambulatory therapeutic feeding centers (ATFCs) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention. These centers provide essential care and treatment for children under 5 years old who are suffering from malnutrition.
The persistence of acute malnutrition in the region is attributed to various factors, including poverty, climate change, limited access to healthcare, recurrent measles outbreaks, and lack of access to clean water. Dr. Christian Mwemezi, an MSF medical team leader, emphasizes the need for comprehensive food security and nutrition responses to address the underlying causes of malnutrition in the region.
To improve access to healthcare for people in hard-to-reach areas, MSF has partnered with communities to train and support community health workers. These workers provide essential healthcare services closer to home, reducing the need for families to travel long distances to seek medical care. The program has already made a significant impact, with hundreds of children receiving treatment in their own villages.
In the village of Karkoure, community health workers supported by MSF are providing vital healthcare services to the local population. This initiative has been welcomed by community members, who appreciate the convenience of having medical care available in their own village. The partnership between MSF and local communities is crucial in addressing the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations in the region.
Looking ahead, MSF plans to strengthen its community partnership initiative to further improve access to healthcare in the region. The organization emphasizes the need for additional support from humanitarian organizations to address the root causes of malnutrition, including water and sanitation services, hygiene promotion, and agricultural and income-generating activities. By working together, these organizations can make a significant impact in reducing malnutrition and improving the overall health and well-being of children in the Hadjer Lamis region.