BANGUED, Abra – Twenty-eight Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in the province underwent a basic course for nutrition, a program that reminded them of their roles and functions as key providers of nutrition and health services in communities.
Maryjune Adriatico of the Provincial Nutrition Council said the BNS from Malibcong, La Paz, Bangued, and Pidigan were trained on writing ans accomplishing action plan on nutrition.
She added there is a need to include nutrition and health programs in the barangay calendar of activities and enjoined participants to initiate the institutionalization of Barangay Nutriiton Council.
BNS are an important standard contingent of the Provincial Nutrition Council in conducting health and nutrition programs and Operation Timbang to day care centers and elementary schools.
The BNS is a human resource development strategy of the government, which involves the recruitment, training deployment of volunteer workers.
It is implemented by virtue of Presidential Decree 1569, which mandates the deployment of one BNS in every village in the country to monitor the nutritional status of kids.
A person who wants to become a BNS must undergo 30-day training where they are briefed on several ways by which they can prevent or save children from malnutrition, since they serve as the front liners in providing basic health and nutrition service to their communities.
Among their specific duties include identifying malnourished children by visiting each house in their areas of jurisdiction and weighing the kids.
With the help of BNS, a malnourished child is subjected to interventions provided by the local government unit such as feeding program and counseling.
For the feeding program, the LGUs can tap private groups or organizations to be their partners. Through counseling, mothers are taught ways on how to nurture their kids to make sure they grow healthy.
BNS are expected to mobilize the community to organize into groups or community-based organizations working for the improvement of kid’s nutritional situation.
They also serve as linkage-builder to ensure each member of the community avail of nutrition and related services. – Ginalyn B. Brioso
