Divyanshu from Garbedi village of Madhya Pradesh was suffering from acute malnutrition and prolonged health conditions also put him in the chronic category. When the nutrition health worker profiled him, he was one of the special cases where the child was found to be severely underweight, wasted and also stunted. Stunting which is chronic malnutrition is generally unrecoverable and if left unattended in early childhood can lead to health consequences that can affect children throughout the entire lives.

Concerned with the family condition and the child’s health, the team of Sabal along with the Anganwadi worker visited the house to counsel the parents. The collaborative visit brought the parents in consensus to immediately admit the child to the rehabilitation centre for medical assistance. Gorabai (mother of the child) was afraid to visit the NRC and stay alone for 14 days. The worry of the mother was pacified with the assurance from the Sabal team promising to visit the centre every day to inquire about the child’s health. The convinced mother completed the 14 days course of Divyanshu in the centre and was happy to see the change in the child’s health. “If the child was not brought to the centre for medical aid, the child would have died in a couple of weeks.” – shared by the doctor of the centre. “We have done almost everything as medical practitioners. The child condition is stable but recovering from chronic malnutrition would take a lot of dedication and determination of the family.” – the doctor added.

After discharge from the rehab centre, Sabal team continued its intervention with a regular visit to the child’s house and also linked the child to ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) third-meal initiative along with the benefits of take-home ration (THR). Realizing the dedicated support of the team to save Diyanshu’s life, Gorabai also determined to do everything which can help her child to lead a normal life. “Sabal wale hume jis tarah madad kar rhe hai; main vi puri koshish karungi ki mere bachhe swasthya rahe” (The way Sabal team is supporting us; I will also put all my efforts so that my children can lead a healthy life)– expressed by Gorabai.

During the recent nutrition profiling survey, the team found that Divyanshu has successfully recovered to a moderate health condition in all the three malnutrition categories (underweight, wasting and stunting) and his health is very much stable. He is very active and cheerful.

Gorabai has her own backyard nutrition garden and regularly prepares nutrition-mix and feed her child. Her recent child was delivered in the health centre and all three children are growing healthy. Divyanshu is now 5 years old and it was all because of his mother’s dedication and determination that gave a second life to the child.