HSDU successfully implements IDB nutrition programme
THE Basic Nutrition Programme (BNP), implemented by the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU) of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Guyana, and funded by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) has been awarded the prestigious ‘Development Impact Honours’ by the United States Treasury. The presentation was made last Tuesday by U.S. Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner to Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno, IDB President, at the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, D.C.
The BNP, a novel programme for Guyana, initiated in 2004, saw 41,000 infants and their mothers in 79 health centres across the country benefiting from improved nutritional status.
The project which seeks to reduce anaemia and malnutrition among pregnant women and children, six (6) months to twenty-four (24) months has impacted significantly.  The  result being an approximate 30% reduction in anaemia and wasting (weight for age) among targeted populations within the first four-year project implementation period.  There was also marked reduction in stunting (height for age), increase in breastfeeding rates and increased compliance with early child-feeding practices.
Executive Director of the HSDU, Mr. Keith Burrowes, who modestly acknowledged the commendation, said that the BNP was a ‘flagship project implemented by the HSDU’ and he is particularly happy with the work done by the project staff, especially since the project   “…was able to make a difference in the lives of the people of Guyana.”
Commenting on the genesis of the project, Burrowes said it resulted from the Government of Guyana recognising that the levels of anaemia and malnutrition were high in some regions, particularly the rural areas. The GOG therefore, entered into an agreement with the IDB, identifying HSDU as the implementing agency.

Kudos
During the life of the project, the BNP partnered with a number of stakeholders and would therefore like to acknowledge their participation:
* Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI);
* New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) Inc.;
* Guyenterprise Advertising Agency; Health Care Workers;
* Food Policy Unit (FPU) of the Ministry of Health;
* Social Development Inc.; and
* The mothers who also played a role in making the programme a success

Highlights
* The production and distribution of Sprinkles Micro-Nutrient, an iron supplement specifically targeting pregnant women and children six to twenty-four (24) months and endorsed by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) – specialised Centre of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO);
* The distribution of food coupons, to enhance complementary feeding
* The implementation of an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign
* Training of over four (400) Health Care Workers (HCWs) nationally

The programme, geared towards the most nutritionally vulnerable areas on the coastal and rural areas, with its project implementation period being 2004-2007. It started with  49 health centres, and by the third year of implementation, was expanded to 79, and executed in all ten (10) administrative regions. This expansion ensured the inclusion of all ethnic groups and other areas which were affected by issues related to malnutrition and anaemia.

Achievements:
– 32% decrease in the prevalence of anaemia, from 62.9% to 42.8%
– 49% decrease in the prevalence of acute malnutrition (severe wasting), from 12.3% to 6.2%
– 12% decrease in the prevalence of chronic malnutrition (severe stunting), from 16.5% to 14.5%

Moreover, because of its notable success, the project was extended by six months, and certain components, including the distribution of micronutrient supplements, were integrated into the national maternal and child health programme and expanded nationwide.  The National Expansion programme was given a project period of 2010 – 2014 and is currently underway. The second phase which was started, however, will be implemented jointly by the Family Health Unit and HSDU.
In concluding, Mr. Burrowes said that the BNP was a flagship project, and he is particularly happy with the hard work done by the project staff, especially since the project was able to make a difference in the lives of ordinary Guyanese, particularly children and mothers. “We at HSDU did it,” he said. (Shirley Thomas)