Leaf concentrate. Undernutrition
Nourishing child and adult patients in Congolese hospitals
Madam
In support of the letter you have published from Glyn Davys(Reference Davys1) following that from Professor John Waterlow(Reference Waterlow2), I wish to testify as follows. I am Surgeon to the Diocesan Health Service in Bukavu, in which capacity I have clinical experience of the use of leaf concentrate in many sorts of situation.
For four years the Service studied the effects of leaf concentrate made from lucerne, which was distributed widely in seven hospitals, three referral health centres and a dozen health clinics in South Kivu, where childhood malnutrition is particularly high due to war, pillage and the whole assortment of accompanying miseries.
Initially kept for infants with kwashiorkor and marasmus, leaf concentrate was then also given to pregnant women who though more or less well-nourished were anaemic, and especially to those who, having given birth, presented with absence of breastmilk or difficulty in providing it. We went on to give leaf concentrate to patients in a poor general state because of chronic infections of many kinds; and we used it post-operatively, and also for malnourished diabetics and for debilitated convalescents. The doses were 5–6 g/d for children and 10–12 g/d for adults.
Results were very rapid, spectacular even. There was no intolerance or allergic reaction recorded and consumption of the concentrate was readily accepted by all. We noted:
• Curing in a week or two of asthenia and apathy.
• Rapid recovery of appetite and improvement in general condition.
• Regain of weight, even able to catch up in 4–6 weeks.
• Curing in a few days of diarrhoea and oedema with no other treatment.
• Correction in 4–5 weeks of anaemia.
• Correction also in 4–5 weeks of other deficiency symptoms (such as skin lesions, lack of strength and spirit) including in cases of severe malnutrition.
• Fast recovery after surgery with less asthenia during convalescence.
• Likewise with HIV-positive or tuberculous children.
• Agalactia lasted only 2–3 d and then milk secretion often became abundant.
The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recognised all these positive effects and has recommended the use of lucerne leaf concentrate.
