The National Nutrition Council – NCR (NNC-NCR) participated in the grand launching of the Health Outreach for People Empowerment (HOPE) for the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) beneficiaries in Metro Manila spearheaded by the Department of Health – NCRO (DOH-NCRO) in partnership with the Local Government Units, DSWD, PhilHealth and other stakeholders held on September 05, 2017 at the Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City.
In previous years, target population of HOPE was the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) beneficiaries. However, as part of the DOH’s Last Mile Towards Universal Health Care: Reaching the Unreached slogan, HOPE was introduced to more than 1,500 MCCT beneficiaries of Manila and Pasay City with the aim of reaching the most vulnerable groups who are in need of immediate health services. The activity was conducted to achieve one of the objectives of the Philippine Heath Agenda which is to ensure that all Filipinos attain the best possible health outcomes with no disparity. HOPE Caravan will also be conducted in other LGUs in Metro Manila to target more MCCT beneficiaries in NCR.
NNC-NCR Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo, Nutrition Officer II Theresa A. Rivas, Administrative Aide VI Sarah Jane A. Bautista and AA III Roberto C. Leyva participated in the event. Flyers on the Ten Kumainments and First 1000 Days were distributed to 250 beneficiaries as part of nutrition promotion and advocacy.
Beneficiaries were provided with the following services: 1) health and nutrition promotion; 2) anthropometric measurements; 3) blood typing and random blood sugar test; 4) risk assessment; 5) medical consultation; 6) child care; 7) vaccination of senior citizens; 8) surgery referrals and minor surgery; 9) maternal needs; 10) family planning counseling; 11) dental services; 12) ophthalmology; 13) ENT consultation; 14) basic laboratory services and TB screening; and 15) PhilHealth consultation and provision of ID.
MCCT beneficiaries who were found to be malnourished as well as pregnant and lactating mothers were referred to the nearest health center for nutrition counseling and provision of appropriate services.
In her keynote speech, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial emphasized the importance of basic check-up which can lead to early detection of illnesses. Early detection will help the government save resources which can be allotted for the treatment of advance cases. “Through HOPE, basic medical check-up and services will be delivered to the poorest Filipinos to further improve the country’s service delivery network,” Sec. Ubial added. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
