Ethiopia strengthens capacity to improve hospital care for children with severe acute malnutrition

Hawassa, Ethiopia | July 2026 - The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from Irish Aid, has launched a Case management followed by National Training of Trainers (ToT) on the revised WHO 2025 Training Package for the Inpatient Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), marking an important step towards the revision of the national training package towards improving the quality of care for children with severe wasting and related medical complications.

The training, taking place in Hawassa from 29 June to 9 July 2026, brings together national experts, clinicians, academics and public health professionals across Ethiopia to strengthen the country's capacity to provide high-quality, lifesaving care for children affected by severe acute malnutrition.

The initiative supports the implementation of WHO's updated recommendations on the prevention and management of severe acute malnutrition and nutritional oedema in children under five years of age. By equipping frontline health workers with the latest evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills, the programme aims to improve treatment outcomes, reduce preventable child deaths and strengthen nutrition services in hospitals nationwide.

The national training builds on Ethiopia's participation in the regional WHO Training of Trainers programme coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Africa. Ethiopia was one of six English-speaking African countries selected to participate in the regional initiative, preparing national trainers to lead the rollout of the revised training package within their respective countries.

Severe acute malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in Ethiopia. Children with severe wasting, particularly those with medical complications, face a significantly increased risk of illness and death if they do not receive timely and appropriate treatment. Strengthening the capacity of health workers to provide quality inpatient care is therefore essential to improving child survival and supporting healthier futures.

The revised WHO 2025 training package reflects the latest scientific evidence and aligns with the WHO 2023 Guideline on the Prevention and Management of Wasting and Nutritional Oedema. It introduces updated admission and discharge criteria, improved management of infants under six months of age, revised protocols for shock, dehydration and iron supplementation, enhanced caregiver support, and strengthened quality improvement measures, including death audits and case fatality monitoring.

The training combines classroom learning with practical clinical experience, enabling participants to strengthen their competencies in the assessment, diagnosis and management of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications. Participants are also gaining hands-on experience in therapeutic feeding, monitoring recovery, preventing complications, engaging caregivers and applying quality improvement approaches to nutrition services through case discussions, simulation exercises, facilitation practice and supervised clinical placements.

A total of 30 participants from the Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, hospitals, universities and WHO are taking part in the training. The participants include pediatricians, nurses, general practitioners, nutrition specialists and public health professionals who play a critical role in strengthening inpatient nutrition services across the country.

"This training has strengthened our clinical skills and confidence in managing children with severe acute malnutrition and medical complications using the latest WHO recommendations. Beyond improving our own practice, we are now equipped to train other health workers across Ethiopia, helping to improve the quality of care and increase the survival of vulnerable children nationwide," said Dr. Amina, Jimma University.

A key outcome of the programme is the establishment of a national pool of trainers who will support the national revision of training materials based on the revised WHO training package throughout and the health system in Ethiopia. This Training of Trainers approach will accelerate the adoption of evidence-based clinical practices, strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers nationwide and support sustainable improvements in the quality of inpatient nutrition services.

The programme also provides an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences and share best practices in the management of severe acute malnutrition, reinforcing national collaboration and strengthening efforts to improve child nutrition and survival.

Following the training, participants will implement a national action plan in the revision of the national trainings , including supporting the country in rolling out of regional trainings, and accelerating the implementation of national protocols aligned with WHO recommendations.

"Every child with severe acute malnutrition deserves timely, high-quality care regardless of where they live. By investing in the capacity of health workers and strengthening hospital nutrition services, Ethiopia is building a more resilient health system that can save lives and give vulnerable children a healthier future. WHO remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health and our partners to ensure these lifesaving skills reach health facilities across the country," said Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, Health Policy and Systems Advisor and Team Lead, Universal Health Coverage Cluster (Health Systems and Healthier Populations), WHO Ethiopia Country Office.

Supported by Irish Aid, this initiative reflects WHO's continued commitment to strengthening Ethiopia's health system and improving the quality of nutrition services for children. By building national expertise and expanding access to evidence-based inpatient care, Ethiopia is taking an important step towards reducing preventable child deaths and ensuring that every child with severe acute malnutrition receives the lifesaving treatment they need.