Child welfare clinic
 

Last Thursday our visit was to Child welfare clinic at Dehiwala MOH office. CWC is conducted by MOH and several PHMs three days per week to provide health care facilities to children up to 5 years of age. As it was a rainy day there were not many mothers when we arrived at the MOH office.

A neonate should attend the clinic after 1 month of age and get registered at the clinic. Then once a month up to 2 years, and once in 3 months from 2 years to 5 years. At the clinic weight and height are measured and marked in the child health and development record. At risk babies, can be identified and early interventions can be taken due to this method. ‘seca’ scale is used to measure weight of babies younger than 6months, ‘salter’ scale to weight babies older than 6months. If the weight gain is inadequate, 24 hour dietary recall is done to identify unhealthy eating habits, errors in breast feeding, inappropriate complimentary feeding. Adequate history is taken to exclude other causes like recurrent infections, congenital heart defects etc. Appropriate dietary advice is given to the mother regarding preparing meals for the baby. If the weight is lower than – 2SD a packet of ‘Thriposha’  will be given. Length of the baby is measured at the age of 4, 9, and 18 months.

Another important function of CWC is provision of immunization according to the national EPI schedule. Records are maintained via CHDR. Part B is kept with the PHM and PART A with the mother. Vaccines are stored and prepared without interrupting the cold chain at the clinic setup, to ensure efficacy of the vaccines.

The ultimate goal of conducting child welfare clinic is to secure the health of children that in turn ensures a healthy future generation of the country. 

Measurement of weight using "Seca" scale.

Manisha Rajakaruna
29.08.2012
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