Apr 5, 2018 - of witchcraft and demonic practices. We recently learned that the large tree growing in front of the healt
Manafwa, Uganda
April 5, 2018
NUTRITION CLINIC MARCH | 2018 | Report
New March Patients New Patients Enrolled: 21 Patients with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM): 16 Patients with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM): 5 New HIV + Patients: 3 Total Patients in Program: 50 Patients Enrolled in 2018: 70
HIV Clients As part of the free services provided at the Nutrition Clinic, each patient above 18 months old is tested for HIV. Patients below 18 months are not typically tested due to inconclusive results. Since the beginning of 2018, Six HIV positive patients have been served through the program. Of those, the majority are adults who have been referred to the Nutrition Clinic through the HIV Clinic that is held every Monday and Friday at Bugobero Health Center. This referral system will help the Nutrition Program to reach many more malnourished clients that would normally be overlooked in a typical government health facility.
Parkway : Nutrition Monthly
A Visible Change The mothers and grandmothers of many of our patients have expressed their gratitude to the program for the changes their children and families have experienced through the care they have received. Many have reported that their children have gained back their appetite, they can walk and play with other children again, and they are looking healthy and strong. The mother of Amita, whose story was shared in the January newsletter has reported that her family has experienced reconciliation because of the love shown to their child through the program. The father and grandparents of Amita had given up on her because she was born with severe congenital abnormalities 1
Manafwa, Uganda
April 5, 2018
which contributed to her malnutrition. Even her mother Metrine was at the point of losing hope. Two months later, Metrine is happy because her family is now in agreement that they see a future for Amita. The isolation that Metrine felt has disappeared and the family is united once again. !
Signs of Malnutrition Malnutrition doesn’t always look like we typically see on TV commercials with starving African children. It has many different signs and symptoms that must be analyzed before a medical diagnosis can correctly be made by the doctor. Some of the typical signs include: Loss of Appetite Odema (Swelling of the Face, Arms, and / or Legs) OR Wasting (Sagging skin, bony appearance)
Not only is change being seen in the patients being served, but in the health workers on the Nutrition Team. Because of the emphasis Dr. Emma has put on sharing the love of Christ with patients, he has given the health workers freedom to share the gospel throughout the health facility on a daily basis, as well as worship and pray with the patients in all departments of the health center, not just in the Nutrition Clinic. The staff have enthusiastically embraced this approach of both physical and spiritual healing, so much so that the community is starting to notice the new “light” emanating from Bugobero Health Center. ! Not uncommon in Uganda, certain landmarks are used as centers of witchcraft and demonic practices. We recently learned that the large tree growing in front of the health center has been used for many years as part of a coming of age circumcision ceremony that all young men must undergo in the local tribe. The darkness surrounding this practice has no doubt cast the health center into darkness as well. Because of the gospel, the light is beginning to overtake the darkness. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! !
Hair Discoloration Anemia Stunting (Failure to grow taller) Low Weight for Age Smaller than average Middle Upper Arm Circumference All of these parameters are measured and noted in each patient file and retaken with every visit to accurately measure the progress of each patient until it is medically clear they have cured and can be discharged from the program.
Parkway : Nutrition Monthly
A Middle Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Tape (below):
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