No Wasted Lives Coalition launch Community of Practice on simplified approaches to acute malnutrition treatment
The No Wasted Lives Coalition has launched a community of practice (COP) on Simplified Approaches to Treatment Across the Continuum of Acute Malnutrition hosted on the State of Acute Malnutrition website. The aim is to share evidence, knowledge, learnings, and updates about research and implementation of simplified approaches, specifically those focused on uniting treatment of severe and moderate acute malnutrition.
Simplifications explored in this COP refer to a range of modifications to the standard Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) model. These include:
- A common approach for detection and treatment of both severe (SAM) and moderate (MAM) acute malnutrition, in one programme and at delivery-point.
- The use of just one type of ready-to-use food (RUF) product for treatment.
- These programmes may only include children who transition between SAM and MAM, in recovery or deterioration, or can also include all primary cases of SAM and MAM.
In addition, commonly implemented and researched elements of the simplified approaches, described in the COP include:
- Training mothers and family members to detect acute malnutrition at home and refer for treatment
- Admission and discharge based on MUAC or oedema
- A simplified dosage of RUF, not based on weight
- A reduced dosage of RUF, either for SAM patients or for all acutely malnourished children as they recover
Broader options to simplify include reduction of visits to health sites during treatment or management of acute malnutrition by community health workers.
The COP includes an introduction to the topic, collates specific and allied evidence to date, frequently asked questions, and implementation examples from research and pilots.
A dedicated thematic area on simplified approaches has been set up on the ENN hosted en-net, and integrated within the COP, to support this effort.
Visit the COP in English and in French.
Visit en-net in English and French.
For further information on the COP, contact here.