The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that more than 343,000 children have been hospitalized this year due to malnutrition.
UNICEF, the sole provider of therapeutic food in Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of therapeutic food in treating severe malnutrition in children.
"Therapeutic food is critical for treating severe acute malnutrition in children, and UNICEF is the only supplier of therapeutic food in Afghanistan. This year, more than 343,000 children have been admitted for treatment," UNICEF reported.
Poverty and lack of access to adequate food are not the only causes of malnutrition; some infectious diseases also contribute to this condition in children.
Ahmad, who brought his son from Baghlan to Kabul, told TOLOnews that his child had been suffering from various illnesses for the past five months, and these illnesses, combined with a lack of proper treatment, led to his child developing malnutrition.
Ahmad, the father of the sick child, said, "Persistent diarrhea caused my son to become malnourished."
Frishta, the mother of another sick child, told TOLOnews, "Our situation was not good, and we couldn't take care of our child properly. Later, he became malnourished because I could only give him tea with sugar."
At the same time, doctors at the Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital mentioned that the number of patients seeking treatment for this condition has increased in recent months, with nearly five patients being hospitalized daily.
Aqa Mohammad Shirzad, one of the doctors, said, "Five or six patients visit daily, and some of them are hospitalized. If they are not hospitalized, we prescribe them medication and refer them to a clinic near their home."
Another doctor, Sayed Aqil, said, "Child vaccinations should be done on time. Additionally, the timing of feeding a child is crucial, and proper feeding practices should be followed after six months of age."
According to the Ministry of Public Health, there are more than 3,000 treatment centers for malnutrition across the country. Last year, 1.5 million children and breastfeeding mothers suffering from malnutrition were treated nationwide.
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