Mozambique
HKI began working in Mozambique in 1997 with programs that provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MISAU) in the areas of nutrition and eye health. Since 2001, HKI has also provided eye care services that are implemented in close collaboration with the Provincial Health Services.
Today HKI's activities include:
To watch "The Orange Revolution", a documentary on orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes, please click here.
Program Descriptions:
Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS): HKI, in partnership with UNICEF, has taken a leadership role in helping the MISAU control vitamin A deficiency (VAD). The two organizations are recognized as the catalysts for including VAS in the 1999 National Immunization Days (NIDs) for polio which was the first nationwide distribution in the country. Subsequent distributions took place during Mother and Child Health Care Campaigns in 2000 and 2001 following the phasing-out of NIDs in 1999. In 2002, after three successful campaigns, with coverage varying from 80-100% of target group, the MISAU integrated VAS into routine services for infants in conjunction with growth monitoring and vaccination.
In 2004, HKI piloted VAS to children under five through mobile clinics and carefully-selected community health workers (CHWs). During the first six months of the pilot project, the health clinics and the CHWs reached 96% of the children in their area, with more than half receiving VAS from the the CHWs. This model expanded to other districts; by the end of 2006, HKI and MISAU had trained 730 CHWs, and by 2008 had distributed VAS capsules to almost two million children aged 6-59 months in five provinces.
Orange-fleshed Sweet Potatoes: “Eat Orange”, an initiative to increase the consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP), has been active in Mozambique since 1999. OFSPs are a rich source of β-carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A, while the more common white-fleshed variety is not. HKI works with HarvestPlus and World Vision to develop varieties of OFSP that are hardy and have high vitamin A content in order to ensure they are eaten by the target consumers, particularly infants and young children. HKI developed a communication strategy to promote increased consumption that included radio programs and spots, theatre performances, and distributing Information Education Communication (IEC) materials including wrap-around cloths, t-shirts and baseball caps.
The project trained nine nutrition extensionists who trained an additional 1,200 women nutrition promoters in basic infant and young child nutrition knowledge and practices with a focus on the daily consumption of OFSP. In 2008, over 12,000 women were registered to receive essential nutrition education that will improve both the vitamin A status and the overall nutritional health of their children.
Forte Saúde (“Good Health”) HKI helps the MISAU develop and implement nutrition policies and services. In 1999, HKI helped develop a National Micronutrient Strategy that led to the creation of Micronutrient Norms. Currently, HKI is delivering and monitoring the minimum package of basic nutrition actions for health facilities. The organization helps the MISAU harmonize nutrition messages in all relevant policies and guidelines and ensure the appropriate nutrition indicators are included in the National Health Information System so that nutrition technicians are trained with the latest knowledge.
Iron Supplementation: A national survey conducted in 2002 revealed that 74% of children under five and 48% of women of childbearing age in Mozambique are anemic, indicating that many girls risk entering their first pregnancy without sufficient iron stores. In the same year, HKI started a pilot project in Manica Province to deliver weekly iron folic supplements and nutrition education through the schools. After initial success in 12 schools, the project expanded to 56 schools. This project led to the development of nutrition materials that could be included in the curriculum of primary school children throughout Mozambique. Teacher were also trained to deliver weekly supplements to adolescent girls and boys and a deworming component was subsequently added.
HKI also worked with UNICEF and the Manica Provincial Directorate of Health to support CHWs provide iron folic supplements to pregnant women using community volunteers trained in distribution and nutrition education counseling for women .
Back to top
In 2001, HKI collaborated with MISAU to conduct Mozambique’s first population-based trachoma survey in three districts in Manica Province. Findings indicated that trachoma was a public health problem with 40% of children under 9 years old with active infections and 4% of adults over the age of 45 with trichiasis, the blinding stage of the infection. HKI is currently working with MISAU and several NGO partners to continue survey work in other parts of the country to fully understand the breadth and severity of the problem.
In 2002, HKI began a school health program to train health workers in basic eye care and conducted community eye screenings to identify, treat and refer trachoma cases. In the Northern Manica Province, HKI organizes trachoma screening days in the community and in schools. Community members that need special care are referred to the nearest available clinic or hospital. In 2008, HKI began working with the Provincial Hospital to treat patients free of charge, often restoring eyesight for many of them.
School Health: HKI began its school health programs in Manica Province in 2000, focusing on nutrition and trachoma. Iron supplementation and deworming are the key interventions to improve the nutritional health of students as they approach adolescence. In 2007, HKI developed age-specific educational materials that promote a healthy and diversified diet.
The trachoma control component promotes face washing and the utilization of latrines to prevent infection. Plans are underway to expand the program to include malaria, HIV/AIDS and other health priorities as defined by local authorities and communities. HKI has also begun meeting with teacher training colleges to incorporate school health in their curricula to provide them with comprehensive training and eventually reduce the need for costly in-service teacher training.
HKI has recently begun work to develop an Essential School Health package in Manica and Maputo provinces in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The aim is to integrate these school health interventions into the primary level curriculum to improve health among school children – as well as their attendance, learning potential and educational achievement.
Back to top
Program Partners
- ANSA
- FAO
- Micronutrient Initiative
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Education
- MOST
- Olhos del Monde
- Pfizer Inc.
- UNICEF
- WHO
Key Staff
- Diane Bosch - Country Director
- Carina Ismael - Vitamin A Coordinator
- Odete de Sousa - Financial Manager
- Mateus Noé - Provincial Coordinator
- Maruicio Pene - Provincial Coordinator
|
