Mali: The reduction of child mortality due to malnutrition
Programme Coordinator: Jennifer Navarro
In Mali, malaria is the leading cause of death, with 90% of the population living in high risk areas. Malaria alone is the reason for 36% of all medical consultations in this country. Children under 5 years old are particularly at risk of dying and are the most affected group. The World Food Programme estimates that 1.9 million inhabitants will be in a situation of food insecurity during the lean season. The south of the country, Koulikoro Region, is particularly affected. In 2014, La Chaîne de l’Espoir supported a project in partnership with two NGOs, ALIMA (the Alliance for International Medical Action) and AMCP (the Medical Alliance Against Malaria). This project took place over the course of 12 months with a budget of €2.3 million, provided in its entirety by the European Union (ECHO).
OBECTIVES :
- To reinforce the quality of medical and nutritional care for children
- To reduce child mortality due to malnutrition and/or illnesses interacting with malnutrition (diarrhoea, malaria, respiratory infections, etc.) in Koulikoro Region, Mali
ACTIVITY :
The project to reduce child malnutrition in Mali (February, 2014 to January, 2015) was supported by La Chaîne de l’Espoir and implemented by ALIMA and AMCP in six districts (Kangaba, Kolokani, Ouélessébougou, Dioïla, Koulikoro et Fana) reaching around 200,000 children, 98% of whom were under the age of 5.
La Chaîne de l’Espoir applied its medical expertise by organising two training missions with medical personnel responsible for intensive care in Koulikoro’s regional health centres.
Supporting children under 5 through quality medical and nutritional care is based on the following:
- Active and passive screening for cases of severe acute malnutrition in all districts
- Treatment of severe acute malnutrition and accompanying illnesses free of charge and supervision of medical and nutritional activities in the districts
- Quality care in cases of severe acute malnutrition with complications and other serious accompanying illnesses in children under 5, free of charge
