Three-year-old Saif after completing treatment for severe acute malnutrition at the WHO-supported Al-Hikmah Hospital. Photo credit: WHO Syria
22 July 2024 –More than 13 years of ongoing crisis in Syria have forced thousands of families to flee their homes. Many have lost their properties and their livelihoods, making it difficult to afford basic life necessities, including food, safe water, and health care. In 2023, 4.8% of children aged under 5 years in Syria suffered from malnutrition – nearly triple the rate reported just 4 years previously, in 2019.

Three-year-old Saif, from Al-Hasakeh governorate, arrived at the WHO-supported nutrition stabilization centre at Al-Hikmah Hospital weighing just 3.9 kg. As well as suffering from severe acute malnutrition, he had pneumonia. Luckily, Saif was seen by a doctor in the village who had received training on the WHO protocol for nutrition surveillance. He recognized the urgency of Saif’s condition and initiated the process for his immediate referral to the stabilization centre.

Saif’s treatment included receiving the therapeutic milks F75 and F100 for his initial stabilization and nutritional rehabilitation respectively. At the same time, he received care for his pulmonary infection. “Seeing my little child so weak broke my heart. I felt helpless, but once we arrived at Al-Hikmah Hospital, I regained hope. Now, watching him smile and play, I know we are on the right path,” says Saif’s mother.

After 13 days of dedicated care, Saif’s health improved significantly. He gained weight, reaching 5 kg, and his smile and healthy cheeks returned. He was then referred to a community-based management of acute malnutrition centre for ongoing outpatient care.

Thanks to the Syria Humanitarian Fund, WHO has fully supported the malnutrition department at Al-Hikmah Hospital by providing therapeutic liquids and covering the full costs of treatment for all forms of malnutrition. WHO is also focused on ensuring the early detection of malnutrition among children like Saif. To date, 983 health centres across Syria have been equipped and trained to take part in the nutrition surveillance programme. Together, they have offered 1 million services and detected about 27,000 malnutrition annually.

With the Fund’s generous donation, 23 WHO-supported stabilization centres provided health care to 2004 patients with severe acute malnutrition with medical complications in 2023, compared with 1672 patients in 2022.

In addition, from 2014 to today, over 3,000 health workers have been trained in nutrition surveillance. A further 400 doctors received specialized training in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications. These cadres are now better prepared than ever to tackle malnutrition, ensuring that every child receives the best possible care.

Saif’s story is just one of thousands to spring from the countrywide efforts to prevent and manage acute malnutrition. WHO works closely with all health partners to expand the reach of nutrition programmes and strengthen the provision of health care to ensure that no one is left behind.