Zeitschrift für Ernährungsstörungen und Therapie

Abstrakt

Public-Private Partnerships are an Effective Way to Address and Manage Malnutrition in Syria: A Case Study from Al-Hol Camp

Mahmoud Bozo*

Background: This study aims to describe malnutrition among children under five in Al-Hol camp-Syria, and to showcase a successful partnership between WHO and the health care private sector to combat acute malnutrition during the current conflict in Syria. Methods: A retrospective record review was carried out on children admitted with severe acute malnutrition with complications in SAM children at Al-Hikmah private hospital in Al-Hassakeh Governorate in the duration of 12 months. A WHO and public sector partnership was established between WHO and Al-Hikmah private hospital. Through this partnership, WHO has trained the hospital staff on management of malnutrition in children through multiple training workshops. WHO also provided the necessary therapeutic kits needed for managing acute malnutrition in IDPs in Al-Hol camp. Results: A total of 729 children with CSAM were admitted and managed in Al-Hikmeh Stabilization Centre (SC) comprised of 381 males (52.2%), and 348 females (47.7%). Mean weight at admission was 5125 grams. At the time of discharge it was 5615 grams, with a mean gain of 469 grams. The mean gain weight per Kg per day was 10.6 grams. A total of 5171 hospitalization days with a mean of 9 days per case. Fifty-two percent of cases stayed 7 days which is in line with WHO guidelines. Forty-eight percent of children remained in the hospital for more than 7 days due to complications that required longer stay. The total cost of the program which was covered mainly by WHO. Conclusion: The overall mean death rate was 3.6%. Treatment outcomes were in an acceptable level of SPHERE standard, national management protocol and most reports in the literature. The partnership program between WHO and the private healthcare sector achieved excellent results in managing cases of acute child malnutrition admitted to the hospital in terms of lowering mortality rates and increasing weight gain with acceptable duration and cost rates of hospitalization.