Tackling Malnutrition in Northern Ghana

Results achieved as of the end of the project (July 2012) include: reducing the severe acute malnutrition rate by 50-58% in the northern regions piloting and institutionalising a new treatment for diarrhea in children and strengthening the national monitoring system. Over the last two years 7 442 malnourished children were identified and admitted to inpatient or outpatient community malnutrition care facilities by more than 5 000 project trained community-based agents and community volunteers. Project activities also contributed to increasing awareness and production of iodised salt in 96 communities and production of fortified flour by some 1 871 women from 52 women’s groups. The fortified flour and iodized salt are improving nutrition in their households and communities. The number of sentinel sites for the Food Security and Nutrition Security Monitoring System has increased from 102 to 190 (from an average of three sites per district to at least five per district). The sentinel sites ensure more reliable tracking of the ability of people in vulnerable households in target communities to access safe sufficient and nutritious food.