Guatemala City, by Daniel Coromac -AGN- The authorities of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance -MSPAS- received the visit of Victor Aguayo, Director of UNICEF’s Child Nutrition and Development Programs, and a delegation from the organization, to learn about national projects and programs on child nutrition.
Director Aguayo stated, “The purpose of this meeting is to learn more about the nutritional condition of children under five years and school-age children in Guatemala; and to meet with the national authorities, particularly the health area.”
Program Growth
Aguayo explained how he also seeks to learn about national programs and policies so UNICEF can continue to strengthen and expand ongoing efforts.
UNICEF’s programs focus on child malnutrition prevention, detection, and treatment.
During the meeting, Ministry of Health representatives presented their collaboration with Unicef throughout the years. These actions have been centered on:
- Pediatric malnutrition areas
- Prevention of mortality in children under 5 years old.
- Reduction of neonatal infant morbidity and mortality.
Core Actions
The meeting addressed the essential strategies in health and nutrition based on scientific evidence that has an effect in the short, medium, and long term and the dynamics of the 14 human milk banks operating in the country.
The Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance, Francisco Coma, said, “We must also highlight a very relevant detail, the Government’s effort to coordinate and comprehensively address child nutrition, creating comprehensive brigades.”
Cooperation for Childhood
Unicef’s delegate added that he confirmed the close collaboration between the MSPAS and Unicef. He pointed out the shared design of programs and strategies to protect the nutritional condition of the most underprivileged children.
“We have one and only one interest, which is to improve the nutritional condition of Guatemala’s children,” said Aguayo.
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance has established alliances with other organizations to provide quality services to the population, especially Guatemalan children.
