Chihuahua presents child malnutrition model in Chile

A delegation from the Mexican state of Chihuahua is participating in the XXI Latin American Congress of Nutrition (SLAN 2026) in Santiago, Chile, to present its model for addressing acute childhood malnutrition. Led by Health Secretary Gilberto Baeza Mendoza, the delegation will showcase the strategy implemented in the Sierra Tarahumara region.

The model, presented at a symposium organized by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), focuses on an integrated approach involving institutions, medical personnel, and local communities to ensure timely detection, treatment, and follow-up for children. Key components include community-based outpatient care, the use of ready-to-use therapeutic foods, and inter-institutional coordination to support children under five years old.

Dr. Sandra Ivette Caraveo Olivos, medical director of the Chihuahua Children's Specialty Hospital, will discuss the practical application of the model and the necessity of adapting medical services to the specific cultural contexts of indigenous communities. The presentation also highlights the “Juntos por la Sierra” strategy, which addresses the logistical challenges of providing healthcare in geographically isolated areas.