Mosrifa Tomawis or “Ifa” as her parents and relatives calls her was admitted to the SAM program last August 4, 2017. Ifa is 25 months old, she was assessed as severely underweight for her age. She was admitted with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) having 11.1 cm mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). The normal cut-off points of MUAC for preschool children is 12.5 cm. Though, her weight for height was normal and no other complications present such as edema, Ifa still needs immediate care due to being severely acute malnourished. Ifa was then referred to a health personnel of UNICEF and was then taken good care by Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM), an NGO that provides nutritional intervention for the displaced residents of Marawi City.
Ifa and her family found shelter in the evacuation center of Buruun School of Fisheries, Iligan City. Her 20-year-old mother was seen by a psychiatrist in Iligan City and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Ifa’s first week in the program was quite challenging because despite having an appetite, she only ate small amount of RUTF and prefers “chichirya” or “junk foods”. Engaging the family to help Ifa recover and graduate in the SAM program specially with her mothers condition as primary caregiver makes it very difficult, her father too was not that cooperative.
HOM and other health workers, packed with hope and passion to help Ifa continued their mission to help her overcome malnutrition. On one visitation, it was observed that Ifa quickly finished the manually-expressed breastmilk in a cup given to her, that gives astonishment for all the health personnel that monitors her condition. An arrangement was then made for breastmilk donations to be given and transported from Manila to Cagayan de Oro up to Ifa’s evacuation center. Logistics was difficult yet with the involvement and help of the community, it was made possible. Ifa preferred consuming small amount of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) but has eagerly drank her supply of breastmilk. Initially her mother was hesitant because it is a taboo in the Muslim community to give their children breastmilk of another women yet with proper counselling and persistent monitoring, all the staffs’ efforts paid off.
Health personnel claimed that her case was the most challenging yet was the most rewarding. After 2.5 months in the program, Mosrifa Tomawis has been cured with normal nutrition status. She is now with all smiles facing a brighter and healthier tomorrow. Her case tells us that breastmilk is a “liquid gold” and will always be the best for children. facd
Photo credit: Ms. Kristine Angeli O. Gimongala, National Nutrition Cluster Coordinator for Marawi Siege
