Health and Nutrition Programmes

Adequate health and nutrition is essential for the healthy development of children. Families affected by illness may not be able to work or provide proper care. Children in these situations are at risk of dropping out of school in order to care for a sick adult and work in order to replace lost income. If the caretaker dies from the illness, the child risks a number of negative outcomes including living on the street or being placed in institutional care.

The provision of free or affordable health and nutrition services is vital in the protection of children and in reducing separation from their caretakers. This need is extremely prevalent in areas affected by large scale HIV/AIDS infection rates, poverty, and armed conflict.

Children who have been abused or exploited require immediate health screening to identify and treat potential injury and infections. Medical testing and treatment should be delivered in a child sensitive manner, with consent and confidentiality standards strictly adhered to. Significant health interventions should also be accompanied by psychosocial services, education, and family support.

The resources in this section provide guidance and examples of protection projects which include health and nutritional support.

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Legal and Policy Frameworks to Protect the Rights Of Vulnerable Children in Southern Africa

Save the Children UK South Africa Programme, 2006

Reviews legal and policy frameworks for the protection of OVC rights in 10 Southern African countries. Includes key concerns and recommendations. Appendix includes country-specific details of National Policies on Orphans and Vulnerable Children and National Plans of Action.

Progress for Children: A Report Card on Nutrition

UNICEF, 2006

Evaluates global improvements in nutrition as progress towards achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Suggests that the MDGs are attainable only with re-prioritization of efforts to reduce child undernutrition.

Handbook on Paediatric AIDS in Africa

Denis Tindyebwa, Janet Kayita, Philippa Musoke, Brian Eley, Ruth Nduati, Hoosen Coovadia, Raziya Bobart, Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha and Mary Pat Kieffer, 2006

A practical resource handbook for health professionals. Topics covered include HIV epidemiology, preventing HIV infection, care of HIV-exposed or HIV-infected children, diagnosis and clinical staging of HIV infection, clinical conditions associated with HIV, antiretroviral therapy, adolescent issues, long-term and terminal care planning for children affected by HIV/AIDS and their families, counseling and psychosocial support, and nutrition.

A Situational Analysis of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Four Districts of South Africa

Alicia Davis and Donald Skinner (eds.), 2006

Identifies strengths and weaknesses of services offered to OVC in South Africa. A detailed list of recommendations suggests improvements to services.

Using Social Transfers to Scale Up Equitable Access to Education and Health Services

Katie Chapman, 2006

This paper focuses on the impact of one form of demand-side policy option - social transfers, particularly cash transfers and vouchers - on access to health and education services by the extreme poor.

Positively Abandoned: Stigma and Discrimination against HIV-Positive Mothers and their Children in Russia

Human Rights Watch, 01 Jun 2005

Russia is home to one of the fastest-growing AIDS epidemics in the world, but the government has done little to address the problem.

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

World Vision HIV/AIDS Hope Initiative, 2005

Comprehensive toolkit and resource pack for mobilising community-led OVC care. Includes detailed resources for training home visitors.

Making the Case for Cash: Humanitarian Food Aid Under Scrutiny

Oxfam International, 2005

Briefing note advocating cash transfers in disaster relief, with a particular focus on operations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia following the tsunami in 2004.

How Communities are Coping with the Impact of HIV and AIDS on Children: Findings from Uganda and Zambia

Jane Chege, 2005

Assessment of pilot programs employing World Vision Community Care Coalition model in Uganda and Zambia.

Poverty, Vulnerability, and HIV/AIDS Mainstreaming in Lesotho: Livelihoods Recovery Through Agriculture Program and Secure the Child

Joanne Abbot, Mosele Lenka, PJ Lerotholi, Makojang Mahao, and Sechaba Mokhamaleli, 2005

A description of a multi-level intervention in rural Lestho aimed to improve the livelihood security of vulnerable households by improving home gardening, increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS, and influencing policy. By focusing on rural livelihoods and economic empowerment the program had some success in raising awareness and strengthening resilience to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.