OptiMA – Optimizing the treatment of acute malnutrition

Africa is the continent most affected by acute malnutrition, with a prevalence of 21% compared to 9.9% globally.
Nearly 6 million children suffer from acute malnutrition in the Sahel (UNICEF).
An inadequate treatment protocol currently prevents effective care for all malnourished children.

The OptiMA project (Optimizing the Management of Acute Malnutrition), developed by ALIMA and its partners, introduces an innovative approach to treat more children at the same cost.

By simplifying treatment protocols, OptiMA improves the identification and management of malnourished children to reduce mortality rates and promote better recovery.

Humanitarian context and challenge

A worsening nutritional crisis

In the regions where ALIMA operates, acute malnutrition is a recurring crisis worsened by:

Climate change, affecting harvests and access to food resources
Conflict and insecurity, limiting access to healthcare and food
Limitations of the current protocol, which separates children into moderate and severe malnutrition instead of applying a unified, integrated approach

💡 Why does this matter?

A malnourished child is 9 times more likely to die than a well-nourished child (WHO)
50% of malnourished children do not have access to necessary treatment
Current treatment (therapeutic food) is underused and overly segmented

📌 OptiMA aims to break down these barriers and provide a simpler, more effective solution.

➡️ In response to these challenges, ALIMA is deploying an innovative approach to save more children.

ALIMA’s action

💡 How does OptiMA optimize the management of acute malnutrition?

OptiMA is based on a simplified approach built on two core pillars:

🔹Simplified and more accessible screening

Using a single anthropometric indicator:

Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and edema replace complex calculations involving weight and height
This makes early diagnosis easier for families and community health workers

Training families using the MUAC-mothers bracelet:

A color-coded system that is easy to understand:
- 🟢 Green = healthy
- 🟠 Orange = moderate acute malnutrition
- 🔴 Red = severe acute malnutrition.

➡️ A simple tool that empowers parents to identify malnutrition and act in time

🔹A unified and scalable treatment

A single treatment: Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)

All children receive the same therapeutic product, with the dosage adapted based on their progress
Eliminates the distinction between “moderate” and “severe” cases, enabling continuous, consistent care

📌 Over 200,000 children have already been treated using the OptiMA strategy in six West and Central African countries

➡️ This protocol expands access to care for more children

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK

Research and Scientific Results

Scientific evidence and adoption of the OptiMA model

10 clinical and operational studies conducted since 2017 to evaluate OptiMA’s impact
Significant reduction in treatment cost per child and higher recovery rates

📌 Key published studies:

Clinical study in DRC (2017): comparison between the standard protocol and OptiMA
Cost study in Burkina Faso (2021): OptiMA reduced treatment costs while improving outcomes
Relapse analysis in Yako, Burkina Faso (2021): lower relapse rates due to early detection

📢 2023 regional conference report on simplified approaches