The Batang 1000 is a joint project of Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) and
UNILAB Philippines. It aims to reduce the prevalence of stunting in Quezon City by 2017. Based on the 2015 Operation Timbang Plus conducted by the health and nutrition workers in 142 barangay of the city revealed that more than 12,000 preschool children or 12.87% were found stunted.
The project headed by Quezon City Health Officer Dr. Verdades Pena-Linga and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Coordinator Dr. Ramona Asuncion DG. Abarquez with UNILAB Project Coordinator Ms. Vidallon, focuses on the First 1000 Days of the child. It was launched on February 23, 2016 with the aim of improving the First 1000 days of the child through good nutrition and related interventions. The project believes that if the child receives optimum nutrition, adequate health and child care from conception until the age of two (2) years, the child will grow healthy, strong, and intelligent and will become a productive adult later on in life.
A total of 228 nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women and child dyads from the eight (8) pilot barangays: Damayan, Commonwealth (NGC), Bagong Silangan, Tatalon, Sta. Lucia, and Tandang Sora are presently enrolled in the project. One-on-one screening, profiling and orientation on the project were conducted to ensure the full participation of the beneficiaries and other members of the community. The health center midwives provided the barangay health workers (BHWs) with the masterlist of the project participants for close monitoring and follow-up.
Nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women enrolled in the project are given 30 Obimin tablets (containing Iron, Folate, Calcium and Vitamin A) monthly and other essential vitamins during their pre-natal visits and post-natal consultation for three (3) months. Free laboratory examination, ultrasound test, urinalysis, enrolment to PhilHealth and modified supplementary feeding with cooking demonstration and intensive nutrition counseling are among those provided to the project beneficiaries.
Newborns will receive essential intrapartum newborn care while infants 6 months up to 2 years of age will be given Tiki-Tiki/Ceelin containing Vitamin A and Zinc and micronutrient powder. The developmental quotient of the child at 12 and 24 months will be evaluated by developmental pediatricians from the Philippine Pediatric Society.
The Quezon City Health Department is optimistic that through the collective effort of the city government and its partner agencies and other stakeholders, the Batang 1000 Project will be successful in producing healthy children for a better future.
Written by Ms. Adelfa G. Gajelloma, Nutritionist-Dietitian II, Quezon City
Ms. Gajelloma is a member of the NCR Nutrition Writers’ Guild and City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators of Metro Manila Association, Inc.
