The training, which covered integrated management of acute malnutrition, integrated care for childhood diseases, and nutrition data management, was organized by the Bié Provincial Health Department with technical support from UNICEF Angola and funding from the BFA Foundation. The goal was to enhance the skills of health professionals in caring for and monitoring children and families. The training allowed participants to deepen their knowledge in identifying early risk signs, providing care according to updated protocols, and timely referral of cases requiring specialized treatment.
According to UNICEF Angola, the training will enable health technicians to provide quality services to the population. UNICEF Angola's Chief of Health and Nutrition Section, Frederico Brito, emphasized that investment in human resources and infrastructure must be accompanied by improved quality of services. He noted that the training will contribute to the adoption of more effective protocols and accurate diagnoses. The training also covered health information systems, enabling participants to register and analyze nutrition data to track results and identify needs.
The training is part of a broader initiative by UNICEF and the BFA Foundation to improve nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to two years of age. The initiative, which started in 2021, targets the municipalities of Cunhinga and Belo Horizonte and includes strengthening health services, providing nutritional inputs, screening for malnutrition, and community activities related to nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The training of health professionals is a key component of this initiative, enabling them to identify malnutrition early, monitor children undergoing treatment, and produce data to support service planning. Vera Neusa Dias, Executive Administrator of the BFA Foundation, considered the completion of the training a significant achievement for the health professionals and a commitment to improving care for communities.
At the closing ceremony, Isaías Cambissa Sambunga, Head of the Public Health Department, highlighted the partnership between the BFA Foundation, UNICEF, and the Bié Provincial Government, which complements existing health sector actions. He encouraged the trainees to share their knowledge with other professionals who did not participate in the training.
Health professionals who completed the training expressed satisfaction with the practical tools acquired to improve service delivery, supervision, and teamwork. Marina Pena, Provincial Nutrition Supervisor in Bié, and Paulina Jamba, Municipal Nutrition Supervisor in Cuito, highlighted the knowledge gained on screening children under five for malnutrition, admission criteria for outpatient treatment, therapeutic protocols, and referral to specialized nutrition units.
The certificate ceremony was part of a joint mission by UNICEF and the BFA Foundation to Bié, which included meetings with provincial and municipal authorities and visits to health units and communities covered by malnutrition prevention and treatment interventions. The teams observed the work of health professionals, community agents, and mother groups in promoting healthy feeding and hygiene practices, malnutrition screening, and referral of families to health services.
Key points
- Over 190 health technicians trained in nutrition and childhood diseases in Bié province
- Training aimed to enhance skills in integrated management of acute malnutrition and childhood diseases
- Initiative part of broader effort to improve nutrition during first 1,000 days of life
