Maryam’s recovered from Malnutrition in Northwest Cameroon
In the crisis-stricken Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon, millions of children endure severe nutritional challenges. By October 2024, the situation is expected to worsen, with seasonal increases in wasting putting thousands of women and children at heightened risk.
One of these children is Maryam Abdullahi, a 3-year-old girl discovered during a door-to-door screening in Old Town Bamenda in May 2024. Maryam’s mother, Aishatu Muhammadou, was distraught and helpless, as Maryam weighed only 6kg with a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of 10cm. Maryam could neither crawl nor walk, further compounding Aishatu’s worries.
“Maryam couldn’t crawl or walk just like her fellow age mates at age three. This made me really worried about how weak she looked, but I didn’t understand what the cause was”, Aishatu Muhammadou telling Maryam’s Story.
Due to the ongoing crisis, many parents like Aishatu struggle to care for their children, often resulting in malnutrition and other illnesses. With no financial means to access healthcare, Aishatu was at a loss.
UNICEF, in collaboration with CBCHS Community Health Workers (CHWs), has been instrumental in reaching the most vulnerable children in these remote, crisis-affected areas. When Maryam was identified as suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), she was quickly brought to a facility supported by UNICEF and assessed by a nutritionist.
Aishatu, reflecting on the intervention, expressed her gratitude: “The goal for my young girl is to stand on her feet and play with her friends in the community. Thanks to the support from UNICEF, this dream is becoming a reality.”
Following her treatment by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service, supported by UNICEF, Maryam can now hold onto support and walk around the house.
Efforts for early detection of malnutrition have intensified, with active MUAC screenings reaching close to 55,000 children under five in CAR refugee camps and nearby host communities.
UNICEF’s commitment continues with plans to train over 100 CHWs and health workers each, screen 50,000 children and provide direct lifesaving support to over 22,000 children, pregnant and lactating women, in the Northwest and Southwest regions, aiming to improve nutrition indicators and provide emergency response to children most affected by conflict. Through these initiatives, UNICEF is making strides in combating malnutrition and ensuring a healthier future for children like Maryam in Cameroon.
Written by Chungom Emmanuel, Intern Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications in UNICEF Buea Office
