ASHENEWS reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday published a new guideline on the prevention and management of severe malnutrition, particularly wasting among children.
The document, which is aimed at strengthening global action to end wasting and eliminate all forms of malnutrition in children identifies the importance of proper home diets for managing wasting.
The guideline recommends improved access to quality services as well as early identification of mothers in need and infants at risk of wasting.
It also identifies the empowerment of community health workers in managing acute malnutrition.
Commenting on the document during the ongoing global food summit on Monday, the Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom noted that the WHO was working with other UN partners to support governments and health workers to implement these recommendations and adapt them to country needs.
In his words, “We are seeing encouraging signs of progress. 23 countries have completed country roadmaps to tackle wasting in children. We must support these countries to turn their roadmaps into action.”
