Enhanced Capacity Building for Health Workers on Managing Acute Malnutrition in Kenya
Enhanced Capacity Building for Health Workers on Managing Acute Malnutrition in Kenya
Enhanced Capacity Building for Health Workers on Managing Acute Malnutrition in Kenya
Enhanced Capacity Building for Health Workers on Managing Acute Malnutrition in Kenya

Enhanced Capacity Building for Health Workers on Managing Acute Malnutrition in Kenya

MoH News / Thu, 06/27/2024 - 20:39

Nairobi, June 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Health's Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, in collaboration with WHO Kenya Country Office and other implementing partners, has initiated a six-day training workshop on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM). 

The workshop, running from June 24 to 29 at Lake Naivasha Resort, aims to strengthen the skills and knowledge of nutritionists and clinicians from 16 counties in Kenya. This training is part of a broader effort to address severe acute malnutrition, a major public health issue in Kenya. 

Malnutrition significantly increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in children. Severely wasted children are 12 times more likely to die than their well-nourished peers and face lifelong challenges, including poor growth, development issues, and a higher risk of diseases. 

The 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey revealed progress in reducing stunting and obesity but noted a marginal increase in wasting levels, highlighting the ongoing need for targeted interventions. The survey showed that stunting rates among children under five reduced from 26% in 2014 to 17.6% in 2022. 

However, wasting increased from 4% to 5%, and overweight and obesity rates dropped from 4% to 3%. While national wasting levels stand at 5.0%, some arid and semi-arid counties (ASAL) report Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates persistently above 15%, indicating a critical need for enhanced healthcare services in these regions. 

 The recent Integrated Phase Classification for Acute Malnutrition (IPC-AMN) assessment in February 2024 estimated that approximately 847,000 children aged 6 to 59 months and 124,000 pregnant and lactating women require treatment for acute malnutrition. As of May 2024, 347,265 children under five are enrolled in treatment programs across the country. 

 The workshop in Naivasha, featuring a standardized modular training package adapted from the WHO "Training Course on the Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition 2022," includes comprehensive clinical practice sessions. These sessions are expected to significantly improve the quality of care for acute malnutrition in Kenya. 

“The training aims to address the significant capacity gaps in managing acute malnutrition, especially in non-ASAL counties,” said a spokesperson from the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics. “By equipping healthcare workers with the necessary skills, we aim to improve nutrition service delivery and the quality of care for displaced and hard-to-reach populations, thereby alleviating morbidities and preventable mortalities.” 

Participants will also received updates on the 2023 WHO recommendations on preventing and managing acute malnutrition. The knowledge and skills gained from this workshop will be crucial for supporting IMAM services in their respective counties, contributing to the broader goal of reducing malnutrition and improving child health outcomes in Kenya.