Mothers in Kabul call for expansion of malnutrition treatment services

KABUL (Pajhwok) -- Several mothers of malnourished children in Kabul have welcomed services at health centers treating malnutrition but called for their expansion amid ongoing economic hardships.

Golchehreh, mother of three malnourished children whose husband works as a day laborer, said her family often eats only dry bread with sweet tea or nothing at all. She praised the weekly nutritional supplements provided at a distribution center, noting her child has gained strength since starting treatment.

Afsaneh Naqibi, a Kabul resident, took her daughter to a malnutrition treatment center in Khairkhana after noticing weight loss at daycare. Over six visits, the girl received Arnutif supplements, weight and height checks, and maternal advice, leading to improvement. Naqibi commended the services and urged the Ministry of Public Health to expand them.

Khajeste from Taymani said her four-year-old daughter's weight rose from 11 kg to 14.5 kg after six months of treatment at a clinic. She called on the Islamic Emirate to pay more attention to malnourished children and broaden programs.

Zarmineh from Kart-e Now, suffering from anemia after surgeries for her three children, complained of poor diet during pregnancy due to economic woes. She also demanded more centers for women and children.

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aref Hassanzai, head of internal medicine at Kabul's Indira Gandhi Child Health Institute, explained malnutrition occurs from imbalanced intake of food, energy, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, leading to health disruptions. Symptoms in children include severe weight loss, stunted growth, edema, lethargy, hair loss, skin issues, and pallor. Types include wasting (skin and bones), edema-related obesity, and mixed severe wasting with limb swelling.

Dr. Sharaf Zaman, Ministry of Public Health spokesperson, told Pajhwok that early 2025 estimates from foreign agencies put malnourished children and pregnant women at 3.7 million, but by year's end, nearly 3 million were treated at 3,200 health sites nationwide.