The Fight against Malnutrition: Guatemala

Founded early in 1946 under the auspices of the Pan-American Sanitary Bureau which acts as the world Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Office for the Americas, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), with main offices in Guatemala City, is primarily engaged in studying human nutrition and finding effective solutions to the problems arising from malnutrition in the areas it serves. Each member country of INCAP is provided with a permanent field unit constantly carrying out surveys, distributing medicines, etc., and compiling data on the weight, height and bone growth of children. This information is carefully recorded and analysed at the Institute which is waging an all-out campaign against kwashiorkor, among other diseases. Kwashiorkor is a disease which produces grave organic disturbances as a result of protein deficiency. Health education and hospital treatment, where indicated, are restoring thousands annually. As a diet additive, milk donated by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is instrumental in developing the health and often saving the lives of children.
A youngster waiting for free milk given to combat kwashiorkor in the Village of Santa Maria Cauque.