The only chance of survival

The other two had marasmus (a form of severe protein-energy malnutrition) so were very thin with gaunt faces and the look of constant hunger. They had the weak grizzle of malnourished children rather than an energetic cry that is normal.

They all came in presenting with diarrhoea, having had it for several days. It is always very difficult to know if the malnutrition has caused the diarrhoea or the diarrhoea the malnutrition. A bit like which came first, the chicken or the egg.

Sadly, parents often wait until their children are really ill before they come to the hospital, this may be because they live so far away that they don’t want to make a wasted journey. It may be because they have been to a local mullah (religious leader) first, or to a holy shrine. If that doesn’t work, then they come to us as a last resort.

The children often have other medical conditions as the malnutrition makes them too weak to fight off infections. But with the right treatment malnutrition is something that the child can make a complete recovery from. That is so rewarding, as is the look on the mother’s face when she knows that her child is not going to die.

These four children are among the ‘lucky’ ones – they were brought to the hospital in time. Infant mortality (children under five years old) in Afghanistan is among the highest in the world and there are so many young ones in our region who will not survive.

In the winter when the ‘roads’ are shut by snow, travel in a mountainous, rural area is almost impossible and access to any healthcare is greatly reduced. For the many thousands of people we serve, our basic hospital is the only chance of survival at all, if they can reach us.

There was a happy ending for all four of these children: they all responded to treatment and returned home much better, and with their mothers clutching a supply of the high energy ‘superflour’ so that their good condition would continue. Please remember these children and their families in your prayers.