What to Expect When Being Treated for Malnutrition at a Health Clinic

Taking your child to a health clinic to be treated for malnutrition may seem overwhelming. But as Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson has said, “Jesus has a tender heart for children and He rejoices at even the smallest effort to help them.”¹

Here’s what you need to know about taking your child to a health clinic for malnutrition.

When should I take my child to a health clinic?

If you attend a health screening and learn that your child has been classified as severely malnourished, you should take the child to a health clinic as soon as possible. At a health clinic, a trained health worker can assess your child, determine your child’s needs, and make recommendations to help your child recover as quickly as possible.

It is important to act quickly if your child is severely malnourished, as malnutrition can impact a child’s brain development and physical growth.

What treatments can I expect from a health clinic?

When you arrive at the health clinic, trained health professionals will conduct an assessment of your child. They will measure your child’s height and weight. They may also listen to your child’s heart, test their reflexes, and (depending on the circumstance) ask your child questions to assess their brain development.

Once this assessment is complete, the health professional will recommend a plan to treat your child’s nutritional needs. They may recommend a food or liquid supplement to provide more nutrients in your child’s diet and prevent dehydration. Things like disease or intestinal worms might also be making it difficult for your child to retain nutrients. In this case, your health worker may recommend medicine to prevent or eliminate intestinal worms. For other diseases, your health professional may give your child medicines like antibiotics to treat the illness. Health workers may also recommend immunizations to prevent other common diseases that impact nutrition.

How can I help children in my community?

Families may face several barriers to accessing malnutrition screenings and treatment at health clinics. Many may also feel confusion and apprehension about taking their child to a health clinic.

If malnutrition is a widespread problem in your area, consider what common barriers families may be experiencing. Is the affordability of care a consideration? The distance to the nearest clinic? A lack of understanding about how a clinic could help?

Once you’ve identified these barriers, consider ways to help local families overcome these barriers. Church leaders may want to consider:

• Assisting with the cost of healthcare services.
• Holding a meeting to teach Church members about the importance of nutrition screenings and the treatment resources available at local clinics.
• Identifying local resources that can make it easier for families to get nutrition screenings for their children.
• Hosting a stake nutrition screening to help parents easily access care.

In addition, friends, family members, and ministering brothers and sisters can help by identifying local clinics that provide affordable care, as well as community and government resources that may be available to make nutritional care more accessible. Share these resources with families that may need them—remembering to be sensitive to the feelings of the parents, who may feel embarrassed, ashamed, disappointed, or fearful about their child’s nutritional health.

Counsel with the family to brainstorm simple steps they may take to address their child’s nutritional needs. Offering assistance to help them overcome obstacles on their way will show Christ’s love and provide much-needed support as they seek to help their child or children.

References

1. Camille N. Johnson, in “The Church of Jesus Christ Gives US$32 Million to the World Food Programme,” Sept. 14, 2022.