Implementing an Integrated Nutrition Programme - Health Systems ...
Implementing an Integrated Nutrition Programme - Health Systems ...
Implementing an Integrated Nutrition Programme - Health Systems ...
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Development Forum (LDF) <strong>an</strong>d the UNICEF conceptual framework was used to determine<br />
causes of the high incidence of malnutrition. The health committee of the LDF became<br />
involved <strong>an</strong>d a community based nutrition surveill<strong>an</strong>ce programme was started.<br />
Org<strong>an</strong>isational Structure<br />
The health committee identified a number of volunteer workers who took responsibility for<br />
nutrition surveill<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d education in the community.<br />
Resources<br />
A local church hall is used for the monthly weighing sessions that are org<strong>an</strong>ised by the<br />
volunteer workers.<br />
Activities<br />
• Training in basic nutrition topics for volunteer workers (done by health educator).<br />
• Monthly weighing <strong>an</strong>d record keeping of preschool children.<br />
• Referral of children to the clinic when necessary.<br />
• Educating mothers who bring their children for monthly weighing.<br />
Target Groups<br />
Preschool children <strong>an</strong>d their parents.<br />
Interaction with health facilities<br />
Children are referred from the community-based nutrition surveill<strong>an</strong>ce project to the clinic<br />
when food supplementation is necessary.<br />
Future pl<strong>an</strong>s<br />
Funds have been allocated to the community for establishment of a community bakery.<br />
3 Primary School <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Programme</strong><br />
3.1 Org<strong>an</strong>isation <strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>agement<br />
As in other provinces, the PSNP accounts for the largest portion of expenditure on nutrition<br />
at district level.<br />
In the Northern Cape, the PSNP is jointly m<strong>an</strong>aged by the Departments of <strong>Health</strong> (<strong>Nutrition</strong><br />
sub-directorate) <strong>an</strong>d Education (Educational Support <strong>Systems</strong>). Particular attention has<br />
been given to reaching farm <strong>an</strong>d rural schools. With decentralisation of the programme, the<br />
health department has taken on most of the responsibility for m<strong>an</strong>agement <strong>an</strong>d administration<br />
of the scheme.<br />
The relationship between the health <strong>an</strong>d education departments at district level is variable.<br />
Initially within Lower Or<strong>an</strong>ge, the health department left the running of the PSNP to the<br />
education department. More recently a teacher has been seconded from the Education<br />
Department to the <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Programme</strong> for a period of three years.<br />
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