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Health news for Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Source: GNA
03/16/2021
Archive photo of a corpse
Seven children in the metropolis of Tema died of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in 2020, Tema’s health directorate revealed on Tuesday.
The seven were among 31 children with SAM who were admitted due to various medical complications.
Mr. Samuel Atuahene Antwi, Tema Metropolitan Nutritionist, speaking to Ghana News Agency in Tema, explained that the goal of hospital care (IPC) or hospitalization of SAM patients was not not the restoration of the room.
The hospitalization aimed to resolve the medical complications of the children after which they were treated as outpatients.
He said 2020 ended with eleven patients on admission; while 23 others were referred to various ambulatory care centers (OPC) after successfully resolving their medical complications.
Mr. Antwi indicated that a new community management of severe acute malnutrition (CMAM) was used by the Directorate to treat and manage these cases in various places in the metropolis.
Treatment, he noted, was available at Tema General Hospital (TGH), Maternity / TMA Clinic, Manhean Polyclinic, and all child protection clinics (weighing centers ).
He called on community members and opinion leaders in communities to help identify these children and refer to facilities for early assessment and treatment as no child should die due to malnutrition.
The nutritionist said to determine if a child was eligible for this treatment, her arm was measured by health workers or trained volunteers to see if it was too thin and both feet were checked for swelling.
Mr Antwi added that if a child with SAM had a good appetite without medical complications, the child would not be hospitalized, he or she would rather receive medication and a weekly supply of the nutritional food called “ Plumpy ” nut. , and followed by weekly visits to health establishments.
“If a child with SAM has no appetite or has a medical complication, then he or she will be admitted to the health facility for a short time until the complication is resolved, then receive treatment. extra in the health facility and at home, ”he added.
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