MSF nutritional intervention in the Oromiya region of Ethiopia

NEWS | 28 May 2008

Two weeks ago the medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) launched a nutritional intervention in some areas of the southern region of Oromiya in Ethiopia, following assessments that showed alarming levels of malnutrition among children under five.

MSF has set up three inpatient clinics - also called “stabilisation centres” - for the most severely malnourished children who also have medical complications, such as pneumonia or anaemia, and need intensive medical care. The centres are located in the towns of Ropi, Senbete Shinquille and Shashemene in the Siraro and Shashemene districts. As of 27 May, MSF was treating around 435 children in these three centres.

In Ropi, MSF is caring for 150 children that were previously being looked after by a Missionaries’ Charity. Many of these children are suffering from "kwashiorkor" — a form of oedema that is caused by malnutrition, manifesting in liquid retention in the legs and feet which can reach up to the face as the child’s status worsens. At present MSF is treating around 175 children at Ropi stabilisation centre.

In Shashemene, MSF set up another stabilisation centre in an already existing structure beside the town’s hospital, where children had been admitted at a growing rate in the previous days. MSF is caring for 135 patients from the hospital and more patients are arriving everyday. On 26 May alone, 70 new cases were admitted. As 27 May, there are around 200 children under care in Shashemene stabilisation centre. MSF has also opened a new stabilisation centre in Senbete Shinquille. Around 60 patients were admitted on the first day of activities.

In order to treat children suffering from malnutrition who are not suffering from complications, MSF is also supporting several