Ms. Joyce Asare Kissi, the Head of the Nutrition Unit at Tema General Hospital, has issued a warning to parents about the dangers of feeding their children nutrient-deficient porridges, which can lead to malnutrition, specifically Kwashiorkor.
Malnutrition occurs when the body lacks essential nutrients, and it can result in symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, growth-related issues, and, in severe cases, even death.
During an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Ms. Kissi emphasized that these porridges, commonly known as ‘koko sakora’ only provide carbohydrates and lack the necessary nutrients to support the nutritional needs of growing children.
She stressed the importance of introducing complementary foods alongside exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. These complementary foods should contain all the recommended nutrients to prevent malnutrition and other associated illnesses.
According to the nutritionist, it is crucial to add ingredients such as palm oil, groundnut paste, fish powder, fruits, vegetables, milk, and other nutrient-rich foods to the porridges and meals of children. This will ensure that their growing bodies receive the necessary nutrients for healthy development.
She expressed concern about the persistence of malnutrition, commonly known as Kwashiorkor, among children under the age of five in Ghana due to inadequate nutritional feeding practices.
According to her, her organization receives daily cases of Kwashiorkor from both Tema and the surrounding districts, some of which require hospitalization as the condition may have led to other medical complications.
She emphasized that malnutrition is a treatable disease, but there are many misconceptions surrounding it, causing people to seek help elsewhere and only seek medical attention when the situation becomes severe, putting the child’s life at risk.
As a result, she advised mothers and caregivers to diligently provide their children with nutritious foods and follow the guidance of healthcare providers to prevent malnutrition and other nutrition-related illnesses.
Ms. Kissi appealed to relatives, traditional leaders, community opinion leaders, religious leaders, and others to encourage mothers to promptly take their children to the hospital when they observe symptoms of Kwashiorkor, rather than waiting until it is too late.
She also called upon non-governmental organizations and philanthropists to support the Nutrition Unit of Tema General Hospital by providing cereals for the preparation of therapeutic feeds for malnourished children. This is particularly important as many parents struggle to afford the cost of treatment, as it is not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
