Success Story

At six months old, Aneela was malnourished. Her mother, Ashraf Khatoon, lives with her husband and eight children in Sono Jatoi, a small village in District Larkana, Sindh. The only breadwinner of the family is her husband who can afford minimal food two times a day. Feeding so many mouth with so little has made the children and their mother vulnerable to malnutrition.

'It is very difficult to run a household and feed my children enough with the resources we have', said Ashraf Khatoon.

Aneela was brought in to BHU Sono Jatoi with severe malnutrition since she hadn't received nutritious, fortifying food and the proper vitamins and minerals growing children need. On inquiring, the doctor learned that the sanitation condition and feeding practices, she was being fed buffalo milk, at home were poor which was affecting the health of Aneela. The doctor could immediately see that Aneela was in 'danger zone' and if proper nutrition and care is not provided she can lose her life. She was immediately admitted to Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) site for treatment. After counseling her on hygienic, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and good Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices the mother was asked to visit the OTP site once a week to be monitored and pick up RUTF supplies.

After 16 visits and four months, Aneela's weight was promising at 5.4kgs from 2.8kgs, at the time of admission. She was cured of malnutrition and came out as a happy and a curious child.

Her parents were happy and couldn't thank PPHI Sindh's staff enough. 'We have eight children, the eldest one 18 years of age and Aneela is the youngest. We love all of them. It would have been disastrous for us to lose our last born. I am thankful to PPHI Sindh's staff for saving my child and informing us about the importance of family planning. I think it is time for us to stop birthing more kids and enjoying and nurturing the ones we have', said Ashraf Khaton.