The Ministry of Health’s Nutrition Program in Vanuatu, supported and trained 24 rural health facilities including village health workers in providing Multiple Micro nutrient powder (MNP) in Sanma Province.
The training supported the health workers by implementing nutrition activities in health facilities around Sanma. These activities includes the distribution of nutrition supplies to health facilities such as Micro-Nutrient Powder to health facilities in target communities, targeting children 6-24, 24-59 months, educate the health worker on what to do when counselling Acute Malnutrition cases.
Nurse Aide for Port Olry showing MNP sachet to a caregiver in Hog habour village during MCH clinic.
Sanma Provincial Health services has taken the lead in this initiative, and have rolled out Micronutrient supplementation for children under 5 simultaneously within their Covid 19 response operations to protect children and boost their immune systems.
Micro Nutrient Powder (MNP) distribution and deworming is to boost nutrition status and detect Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition and inform provincial health & national nutrition unit on the nutrition status of children age 0-5 year’s.
The Ministry of Health had conducted the same training in Penama and Malampa Provinces in 2021 as a response to tropical cyclone Harold.
The Micro Nutrient Powder has been distributed to few health facilities in Port Vila and Efate recently to be shared to children who have been affected by COVID-19
Multiple Micronutrient powders for children under 5 is a globally proven intervention that improves children’s nutrition status and health by directly providing them the daily micronutrient needs that their body needs.
Multiple Micro Nutrient Powders is a Vitamin and mineral Powder consisting of 15 important Vitamins and Minerals mainly given to children 6-23 months of age. One sachet of MNP can be added directly to soft or mashed foods prepared at home for children 6-23 months.