The search to find a vaccine for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a work in progress. Without vaccine and cure, the best way to fight off the virus is to strengthen our immune system by eating healthy and nutritious meals.

To ensure that COVID-19 patients in isolation facilities are provided with adequate nutrition, the Parańaque City through its Nutrition Office launched the “Project COVID-19: Nutrition Journey” last September 7, 2020. The project aims to provide breakfast meals to around 100 COVID-19 patients and staff stationed at the different isolation facilities in the city for 30 days.

Guided by the Department of Health Memorandum No. 2020-0166 on the “Interim Guidelines on the Preparation and Handling of Food in Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities for COVID-19 Patients”, the city nutritionist-dietitians (NDs) supervise the preparation, portioning to ensure proper serving size and packaging of food to be given to patients.  The 3-week cycle menu was carefully planned to ensure that patients are provided with adequate nutrition to help boost their immune system. Food items are also given based on the patients’ dietary needs.

Based on the DOH Memorandum, COVID-19 patients should be provided with food items that are high in the following nutrients:

• Vitamin C to help boost the immune system.
• Vitamin A and Beta-carotene. Aside from maintaining vision, promoting growth and development, and protecting epithelium and mucus integrity in the body, Vitamin A also has an anti-inflammatory effect which has a critical role in enhancing immune function. It is also a powerful antioxidant which can help fight viruses and infections.
• Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitates normal immune system function.
• B-vitamins especially B₆ which is essential for growth, immune function, and other aspects of metabolism and B₁₂ for the normal functioning of nerves, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal tract.
• Folate to help make and repair DNA, thus a deficiency of this vitamin could hamper immunity.
• Zinc keeps the immune system strong (e.g. helps fight viruses), helps heal wounds, and supports normal growth.
• Protein to help prevent muscle deterioration and regulates the body’s immune response to viral infection.
• Fat such as omega-3 fatty acids to support a healthy immune system and defend against inflammatory disorders.

Aside from the provision of balanced and complete breakfast meals, patients were also given with IEC materials on proper nutrition and food safety during the pandemic. They were also given vitamin A supplementation.

Last September 11, 2020 marked the first week of the project. For five (5) days, they were able to prepare the following:

• Day 1: Luncheon meat with rice, sunny side-up egg, and fruit medley
• Day 2: Tuna patty with rice and green peas with banana
• Day 3: Lugaw with boiled egg and fruit medley
• Day 4: Tortang talong with meat loaf and rice with grapes
• Day 5: Pansit with 3 pcs. Pandesal and fruit medley

NDs-in-Charge made sure that patients were provided with ample servings complete with fruit. Food safety guidelines are also observed during preparation up to delivery to the isolation facilities.

The Parańaque City believes that in this time of pandemic, the only sure defense to fight COVID-19 is to strengthen the body’s immune system. Prioritize your health and nutrition because a healthy body means stronger immune system. Invest in nutrition and stop COVID-19. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)

Click this link to download the copy of the DOH DM No. 2020-0166:
https://www.nnc.gov.ph/component/phocadownload/category/63-policies-plans-activities?download=2094:doh-department-memorandum-no-2020-0166

You may also visit Parańaque City Nutrition Committee’s Facebook Page to check more of their activities: https://www.facebook.com/paranaquecitynutritioncommittee: