Excellent article.A statement by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN) and UNICEF highlights new evidence that about three-quarters of children with severe acute malnutrition – those who have a good appetite and no medical complications – can be treated at home with highly fortified, ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs). “The 20 million children under five in the world today who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition urgently need treatment. This integrated approach should provide a new impetus,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “It is urgent that this approach, along with preventive action, be added to the list of cost-effective interventions being used to improve nutrition and reduce child mortality.” Emphasizing the importance of the three UN agencies partnering in this endeavour, Josette Sheeran, WFP Executive Director, said: “With this new approach, we have the right product composition to save millions of young lives – this is an example of the new technology and capacity which bring us closer to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal.” The community-based approach brings services close to people’s homes, so that families can identify children with severe acute malnutrition before the onset of life-threatening complications. Children are treated by health workers with basic oral medication and given a weekly supply of RUTF. Meanwhile, parents learn how to help malnourished children and pinpoint danger signs. “Ready-to-use therapeutic foods have proven very effective in addressing severe acute malnutrition in children,” said UNICEF Executive Director and Chair of the SCN, Ann M. Veneman. “Malnutrition plays a part in some 53 per cent of the deaths of children under five years old, so these interventions are an important tool in reducing child mortality.” Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP)