Marina Salud Hospital highlights child malnutrition

Denia Hospital is hosting a photographic exhibition on the problem of child malnutrition in the area of Turkana, Kenya. An incentive from resident paediatrician Luis Santos, proceeds from the sale of the photographs, each of which have been given a symbolic price of €40, go towards combating child malnutrition.

The exhibition, named Turkana Child, includes scenes of the huge effort made by international volunteers to alleviate child malnutrition which plagues the area. The purpose is to raise funds to improve the nutritional status and health infrastructure of the Kenyan region of Turkana. Marina Salud, the company which runs the hospital, and the local Rotary Club have given their support to the projects from Horstmann and Aztivate, which have been operating for 15 years. 

The project combines the work of several international organisations whose aim is to train and lead new generations in the region, providing eating plans and health checks at schools and sending volunteer paediatricians and nurses.

Children who are diagnosed as suffering from severe malnutrition are taken to the local hospital in Lokitaung where the foundation has a number of volunteer nurses and paediatricians available to help treat the patients.

 Some of the more extreme cases are required to be transported to another hospital, some five hours away; unfortunately, for many the trip alone is too costly to be able to afford. 

Incentives such as the photographic exhibition at Denia Hospital are helping to raise awareness and funds for the cause.