The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a world-wide child nutrition program to bless the lives of children. Recently, in Vanuatu, the Church organised a child nutrition screening and education seminar, seeking to address the pressing issue of child malnutrition in the region.
With the support of 12 volunteer doctors and nurses, along with over 30 young adult volunteers, children in the Port Vila area were screened for nutritional and health needs.
Children in Queensland Australia donated toothbrushes and toothpaste for the event, emphasising the importance of dental hygiene in overall health.
Additionally, volunteer nurses donated their time and immunisations so that each child that participated was current on the needed immunisations.
One health professional, May Okka, said, “When children come to the screening day, we can identify children with malnutrition so we can help them achieve a better and healthier life.”
In Vanuatu, approximately 30% of children under the age of five suffer from malnutrition, underscoring the need for education, screening, and support for children in need.
Additional screening and education days are scheduled for the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, Malekula, Espiritu Santo, and in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The Church of Jesus Christ is focused on helping more children have access to comprehensive nutrition care, including nutritious foods, safe drinking water, supporting access to local clinical services, and other factors that help a child meet his or her growth potential.