In response to the CDC reported prevalence of anemia at 43.3% in children aged 6-59 months in 2007, UNHCR, WFP and AMDA initiated a comprehensive MNP supplementation programme. The MNP currently distributed in the Bhutanese refugee camps is custom-formulated for the target population. Compared to the daily-recommended nutritional intake (RNI) for children less than five years of age, this formula has reduced vitamin A and iodine because the Bhutanese refugee children received fortified blended foods (WSB) fortified with these micronutrients in the general ration; reduced copper so not to exceed the 1 mg/day maximum recommended dosage for 1-3 year olds; extra vitamin K due to the inadequate consumption of vegetables among this population; doubled vitamin C content to enhance iron absorption. The MNP programme is following an alternate day schedule, where each child is to consume one full sachet mixed with solid or semi-solid food every other day. Currently, all eligible children aged 6-23 months receive 15 sachets of MNP on monthly basis, and all eligible children aged 24-59 months receive 30 sachets of MNP on bi-monthly basis. Mothers are advised to feed their children with regular family food and add the MNP directly on the child’s plate. Upon enrolment into the programme, AMDA nutrition workers provide instructions and educational sessions regarding the purpose, benefits, and proper use of MNP to the mothers and caretakers of all enrolled children. Regular monitoring and home visits are made by community health workers (CHWs), community nutrition workers (CNWs) and/or nutrition focal persons from AMDA/ UNHCR/WFP.
Information retrieved from the Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group. http://www.hftag.org/
Date | User | Log | State |
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Tue, 11/01/2016 - 14:30 | engesveenk | Edited by kmzillmer. | published |
Tue, 09/20/2016 - 19:27 | kmzillmer | Created by kmzillmer. | draft |