[pronut-hiv] Multivamin for the care of the mothers of HIV infants and children

[Jecinter oketch <jessieoketch@yahoo.com>]

Multivamin for the care of the mothers of HIV infants and children
Jecinter Oketch
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I must say that there have been very useful contributions in this site- thanks to pronut hiv healthnet. I have not been able to contribute much but that is because I am still in school and the workload can be too much. 
Pertaining to multivitamin supplementation. There is no one way of solving nutrition problems.Vitamins shipped from external source may help to solve the immediate problems but as Stacia stressed may not be sustainable. On the other hand micronutrients from locally available food sources is a long term approach and should be encouraged. I am still worried about the bioavailability of powdered fruits and vegetable.Foods in there natural form also have there or enhancers and inhibitors. Does somebody know? Are there studies that have been done?. Especially when we are talking about those who are already vulnerable to infection with high requirements due to increased depletion of stores. 
I propose that both interventions should be considered along side each other. Ghent University have done a lot of on complementary foods formed optimized traditional technologies but with cereals and legumes very rich in micronutrient. The same could be applied to fruits and vegetables targeting PLWHA( see Mwikya SM.Development of a finger Millet based complimentary weaning food for developing Countries using optimized traditional technology. 2000). 
Jecinter Oketch 
Ghent university 

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 Kristof & Stacia Nordin wrote: 

I disagree with George's approach of shipping in outside vitamins. The most
sustainable approach is to provide local vitamins which are generally
abundant in Africa - fruits and vegetables especially. This approach can
last forever, whereas the approach of getting someone else to send them to
you is very temporary. The fruits and vegetable could even be dried locally
and powdered and marketed as a nutritional supplement or multivitamin powder for those who prefer.

Stacia Nordin, RD
Malawi, Africa
nordin@eomw.net 

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George M. Carter wrote:


In the context of care for the mother and her nutritional status, I think
that a multivitamin may be a useful adjunct. International aid groups may
be able to provide some assistance.
First, donor nations have to step up to the plate. We are working hard in
the United States to improve this. Sadly, while it may seem like a
significant step (and in a certain pathetic way, it is), Bush's recent
promise of a few extra dollars is far less than what my country COULD be
doing. Some of us are seeking regime change here!! (But not in a violent
way. That solves nothing.)

Locally, I've worked with a buyer's club (DAAIR) to ship some nutrients
and supplements to the Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, these aren't nearly as much as I could wish for, but it is a start.
(http://www.daair.org)

In addition, there are some wonderful folks working for USAID that may be
able to help out in this regard. Also, one might approach local
pharmaceutical companies, like Lederle in South Africa, to see if they
might not do themselves a good PR turn by providing a significant and
sustained supply of multis as they are a local manufacturer.

George M. Carter
Director, FIAR
http://aidsinfonyc.org/fiar 


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