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ACTNews, SANA'A - Aqlan Khalid Abbas’s
condition had greatly improved when he visited the Aksi Cepat Tanggap clinic in
Sana'a this July. One month earlier, the measuring tape that was encircled on
Aqlan's arm showed the sign of yellow to red, a sign that his body was very
small and lacking in nutrition. Now, when the doctor re-examines the toddler,
his body growth has been far better.
Since last June, Aqlan has regularly checked
his health in the clinic which was supported by ACT to improve the nutrition of
Yemeni children. The ACT volunteer team in the clinic always gives him
nutritious foods and vitamins.
Not only Aqlan, a number of other toddlers
have also improved in terms of their development. They include Irej Shirah,
Barq Abdullah Al-Thulya, Muhammad Alwaqidi, and Hunain Alatme. The medlines
that encircle their arms and other toddlers now show a green line, a sign that
their nutritional conditions are improving.
Since last May, ACT has run a free medical service for war-affected communities in Sana'a, located in Hamdan District. The program not only targets children, but also pregnant and lactating mothers.
"The clinic runs for five days a
week, starting at eight in the morning until two in the afternoon," Andi
Noor Faradiba reported from the Global Humanity Response (GHR) - ACT team,
Monday (7/29).
According to the data, Faradiba explained,
from May to June, a total of 918 patients were treated at the ACT clinic.
"In May, out of 339 children who were medically examined, 66 suffered from
acute malnutrition, 117 suffered from moderate malnutrition. While in June,
there were 75 children under five who were tested for acute malnutrition, and
90 moderately malnourished children," reported Faradiba.
Health cases found in children varied,
ranging from intestinal worms, acute inflammation, to lung diseases. Meanwhile,
a number of diseases experienced by pregnant and lactating women included
chronic mastitis. The Yemeni women also need gynecologist services, and care
for pregnant and lactating mothers.
Sana'a is one of the conflict-ridden areas
in Yemen. Food sources are scarce and infrastructure were destroyed. In
mid-July, ACT also sent a number of food packages to the residents of Sana'a.
The food packages distributed to residents
of Sana'a consisted of flour, rice, vegetable oil, sugar, and nuts. "The
food packages were distributed to 50 families. The distribution of food
packages to Sana'a residents will be carried out again in the next three
months,” Faradiba continued. []
