BAGUIO CITY- “Breast milk is the best food for babies”, says Ms. Candice Salingbay, Nutritionist Dietitian IV of DOH-CAR when members of the regional nutrition cluster visited an evacuee with a four-month old baby in Ucab Elementary School, Itogon, Benguet on September 20, 2018 after the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

The team was composed of Ms. Salingbay of DOH-CAR, Ms. Eleonor Bugalin, Nutritionist Dietitian III of DSWD-CAR, Ms. Diane Joaquin and Nancy Paclos, Nutrition Officers of NNC-CAR, Ms. Amelia Cayap, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer of Benguet, Ms. Joynalyn Tadifa, District Nutrition Program Coordinator and Ms. Victoria Todyog, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer of Itogon, Benguet. Evacuation centers visited include Tuding Elementary School, Alejo Pacalso National High School, Ucab Elementary School, KKMI Church and Manganese, Ampucao, all in Itogon, Benguet from September 19-21.

Breast milk from a donor in DSWD-CAR and from the milk bank of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center was provided to the baby. Since classes resumed on September 24 in Ucab Elem. School, the evacuees transferred in the KKMI church in Ucab, Itogon.

Nutrition counselling among lactating women was also done. Importance of breastfeeding was emphasized where in times of disasters and emergencies, artificial feeding using milk other than breast milk is not safe due to lack of supply of clean water, fuel for sterilization and boiling utensils among others.

Profiling of preschool children and other vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women was likewise conducted. Vitamin A tablets were also given to preschool children and lactating women.

Random conduct of mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was also done among preschoolers for possible scouting of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases.