The documentation of processes, results and outcomes of nutrition programs, projects and activities is an important aspect of efficient nutrition program management. Cognizant of the value of documentation, the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) of Makati established their own system/procedures in documenting the implementation of their local nutrition programs, both at the city and barangay levels.
Documentation reports serve as evidences of implementation and are very useful in informing others what the local nutrition committees and nutrition workers are doing. They also serve as good advocacy tool/materials and as references for evaluation.
The nutrition secretariat of the Makati Health Department, ensures that nutrition and other relevant data are available in their office and at the barangays through proper recording and reporting done by the nutritionist-dietitians and barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs). The nutrition office at the city serves as the repository of data collected through Operation Timbang Plus and during nutrition planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The nutrition secretariat not only ensures that nutrition data and documentation of their program implementation are organized, accessible and available but are also being utilized for planning and advocacy.
At the barangay level, the BNSs maintain folders containing the documentation of nutrition programs, projects and activities. The folders are number-coded and properly filed for easy tracking and monitoring. Implementation procedures and results are documented through pictures with captions and brief write ups. The nutritionist-dietitians who supervise the BNSs mentor them ensure that the data are made available to the Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) to keep them posted on the status of their barangay nutrition action plan implementation.
CNC members and the BNSs regularly submit accomplishment reports to the nutrition office and these reports are consolidated and analyzed by the nutrition secretariat. The reports are presented and discussed during meetings of the local nutrition committees both at the city and barangay levels. Minutes of meetings and highlights of various activities including forum and program implementation reviews are documented and properly filed to serve as reference for actions.
Investing on good documentation will help program managers and implementers make better plans and programs, promote partnership, achieve and keep track of the goal and objectives set at the beginning of the year and help improve the local nutrition committees and nutrition workers’ understanding of the road map to better health and nutrition.
Makati City was awarded The Best LGU in Documentation of Nutrition Programs during 2016 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony.
Written by: Ms. Soccoro Alma F. Gammad, Nutrition Officer IV, Makati City
Ms. Gammad is a member of the City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators of Metro Manila Association, Inc.
