There was something unsettling about the call that buzzed on Judith’s phone, like it was a warning she couldn’t yet understand. She knew that Hosten Uyoba, her 2-year-old grandson, was in danger.
Hosten’s parents had been struggling with their own health issues for some time. Left alone in the chaos, Hosten had become vulnerable to hunger and ill health. A neighbor heard his persistent cries and made an emergency phone call to Judith.
Judith rushed to his side. “I found Hosten in a bad state – tiny and weak,” she said. “He had a fever and couldn’t keep his head up.” She immediately took him to the Livingstone University Teaching Hospital in the Southern province of Zambia for help.
Children in the Western, Southern, Central, and North-Western provinces of Zambia are particularly susceptible to acute malnutrition because of poor access to healthy foods, inadequate nutrition counseling and services, and limited access to clean water. Almost 52,000 children under five are at risk of severe wasting and 276,805 are at risk of moderate wasting.
Admission and journey to recovery
“When Judith arrived at the hospital, Hosten was dehydrated, wheezing, and had a high fever,” said Loveness Lubasi, a community-based volunteer in Judith’s village. “We ran tests and found that he was severely malnourished. He tested positive for tuberculosis.”
Hosten was admitted to the hospital inpatient therapeutic program for children with severe acute malnutrition for 28 days where he was also started on treatment for tuberculosis.
“We were both admitted so that I could help with the feeding,” said Judith. “It was tough. He was sick and most times couldn’t stomach any fluids. But he got better by the day and my joy and strength grew daily as Hosten got better.”
Post-recovery and care
After Hosten was discharged, Judith closely monitored his health at home. “Hosten is under my care,” said Judith. “His appetite for food is better, and he is strong enough to play.”
Loveness Lubasi, a community-based volunteer with the Zambia Ministry of Health visits Hosten once a week to check on his health and well-being. Through Jhpiego’s collaboration with the Ministry of Health, volunteers like Loveness are equipped with essential knowledge, skills and tools to identify and manage malnutrition and support caregivers like Judith to sustain recovery efforts for children treated for severe acute malnutrition. They deliver care as close to the family as possible and promote healthy behaviors.
“The nutrition status of children in this province is of concern, since this area is vulnerable to drought,” said Greenford Mwiinga, a Nutrition Specialist with the Zambia Ministry of Health for the Southern province. “We depend on partners like Jhpiego to support families through community engagement efforts.”
Jhpiego partners with the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) to support 162 community-based volunteers (CBVs) who have been trained to work alongside Safe Motherhood Action Groups. Together, they provide door-to-door health services to identify children and pregnant and lactating mothers who may be malnourished, linking them to care. They help families manage child nutrition through health education and cooking demonstrations in the communities using locally available food. Through this initiative, CBVs in Zambia have reached approximately 22,032 households. In the past year alone, 632 children were identified with malnutrition, 133 of whom had severe acute malnutrition. They were referred to the hospital for treatment and are now showing signs of recovery.
“The Government of Zambia is taking bold steps, but the journey requires all of us,” says Dorothy Sikazwe, Nutrition Advisor at Jhpiego Zambia. “Together—with communities and partners—we can ensure every child grows up strong and healthy.”
“No child should suffer from malnutrition in a land full of potential.”
Dorothy Sikazwe, Nutrition Advisor at Jhpiego Zambia.
Meanwhile, Hosten is doing well with his grandmother by his side. “He is supported and surrounded by people who care,” said Judith.
Joan Nduta is a Senior Communications Manager for the Africa Region. Francis Kaira is a Knowledge Management and Communications Advisor in Zambia.
Eva Lathrop, Senior Director for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, and Kathleen Hill, Senior Principal Technical Advisor, reviewed this story.