My last patient of the day was weaned from breastmilk to Sobo at six months. Sobo is Malawi's Sunny Delight on steroids. So packed with sugar and artifical flavoring, it's only palatable diluted 1 to 5. Except in cases of severe hypoglycemia, Sobo is absent any nutritional value. But the children love it, just look at their teeth.
When Blessings tested negative for the virus one month ago, his mother faced the devil's bargain: Wean too early and children die of malnutrition and diarrhea. Wean too late and the baby is more likely to become infected with the virus.
His twin sister lost that bet just last week when she died from diarrhea.
His full 7 pounds was hyperalert for any food with eyes wide and darting. And then we gave him some.
Malawi provides vitamin fortified peanut butter to the most malnourished. Everyone wants chiponde because it tastes just like Reese Peanut Butter Cups. Though the aftertaste has the grit of a Jamba Juice with the vitamins. Blessings ate his chiponde like a rock star.
He'll go home today with 4 jars of peanut butter and hopefully make it back next week.
2 comments:
It hurts my heart. I hope he makes it back for more care. Andy, you are doing a painful, wonderful work. Love you.
This makes me ache too.
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