Cameroon: Train The Trainers Workshop On Management Of Malnutrition

According to statistics, 32% of the population in Cameroon suffers from malnutrition, out of which 13% is the most severe, especially in regions like Adamawa, North and Extreme North. In the Eastern region, 21.1% of children under five suffer from staggering nutrition insufficiencies, and 35.8% have retarded growth.

For these reasons, and in line with the convention’s partnership with the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon, the NNIA organised a Train the Trainers Workshop on the management of malnutrition. The workshop, held on 9 & 10 May, targeted 44 healthcare professionals of the Eastern region.

The purpose of the training was to strengthen the capacities of participants in order to manage malnutrition and improve the nutritional status of infants in order to increase their survival rate.

Under supervision of trainers from Nutrition Academia, the National Programme against Infant Mortality and the Cameroon Pediatric Society, two practical cases around Acute Malnutrition Management and the use of WHO Growth Curves were part of the training.

200 MUAC tapes were donated to the regional delegation of public health by the NNIA to facilitate the assessment of nutritional status in hospitals of the Eastern region.

According to Houmpotou Fagni, Head of the Infant Therapeutic Nutritional Centre of Bertoua’s hospital: “Infant Nutrition is an important asset to build the future. Poverty, poor nutritional knowledge and lack of qualified human resources are the main barriers to fighting against acute malnutrition. This training is highly welcome and will improve the management of several malnutrition cases we are facing in our hospitals”.

All participants received a certificate of participation and expressed their gratitude to the NNIA.

During the closing session, the Regional Delegate of Public Health, Dr R.D Bidjang, declared: “The initiative of the NNIA is highly welcomed. It provides solutions to a region where these mortality issues are frequent. We are counted among the worst. So, our professionals who have just been upgraded with new knowledge, it is up to you to push back the scourge.”