Hundreds of malnourished infants hospitalized in Farah last month

FARAH (Pajhwok): A total of 450 malnourished children were hospitalized for treatment in western Farah province during the past one month, health officials said on Wednesday.

Doctor Salahuddin, a health worker in Farah provincial hospital, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “A total of 450 malnourished children were admitted for treatment during the last month, 206 were in acute malnutrition condition, while seven of them died.”

Salahuddin added 68 of the children had been discharged from the hospital after being treated and the rest remained hospitalized and were receiving treatment.

He said most possible cause for the higher number of such patients was the war in the past because residents of remote areas were not able to take their patients to hospitals.

But some residents said bad economic situation of people was the reason for their children’s malnutrition.

Momin Shah, who brought his child to provincial hospital form Khaki Safid district, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I am not economically good enough to feed my children well, so my child is malnourished.”

Najiba is another woman who brought her malnourished daughter to the hospital from Shiwan area of Bala Bulok district.

“I am poor, my daughter is hungry, I do not have enough food in my house to feed my daughter, I breast feed her but it is not enough,” she said.

Doctor Abdullah Wafaee, a children specialist at Farah hospital, said that lack of awareness among residents was also a reason for children’s malnutrition.

He said: “The twins and the first child must be fed with more food after six months because such children are vulnerable to malnutrition.”

“Parents are usually advised to give their children suitable food, to visit local clinics and get enriched food in additional to breastfeeding”, he added.

aw/ma

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