Project details
Indigenous childhood anaemia, Northern Territory
Australia
, RUN BY:
The Fred Hollows Foundation
| STATUS:
COMPLETED
Trials of the program are running at Ngukurr Health Centre. Photo: FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION
AUD 42,804
Raised from 19,256 people
This project addresses the serious issue of early childhood anaemia by providing an easy to use dietary supplement that will significantly improve the health outcomes of Indigenous children.
The project cost will cover:
a) Staff and community based workers to administer and maintain the "Sprinkles" program
b) Monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of the program
c) Development and delivery of health promotional materials to assist in community education.
Project objectives:
To provide an effective dietary supplement to young children, to prevent early childhood anaemia and therefore improve the health outcomes of Indigenous children.
Project outcomes:
The Fred Hollows Foundation is trialling this program in eight Indigenous communities and it is estimated that the number of children to benefit directly from “Sprinkles” over an 18-24 month period will be between 400 to 600 children.
Project location:
The project will be implemented in remote communities in the Northern Territory including Barunga, Beswick, Bulman and Manyallaluk.
Background & Project Partners:
Children with anaemia can develop a lifelong legacy of poor health. Iron deficiency is one of the prime causes of anaemia. Good diet, supplemented with iron, as well as education and information for parents on the best ways to feed a child, can make a real difference.
The “Sprinkles” product is a single dose sachet that contains iron as well as other micronutrients like zinc, iodine, vitamins and folic acid. A sachet of “Sprinkles” can be added to a meal without changing its taste, colour or texture. This form of dietary supplement is much easier to administer than an injection which is very painful or a syrup which tastes extremely unpleasant.
The Fred Hollows Foundation is working with the Northern Territory Department of Health and Families, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and other government and nongovernment partners to develop and implement this project.
The Fred Hollows Foundation will be supported in this project by Heinz Australia who will provide a consistent and guaranteed supply of “Sprinkles”.