One of the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is the disruption of health and nutrition services including the conduct of Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus and growth monitoring and promotion activities (GMP). Even now that most of the country is in general community quarantine or modified GCQ, people are still hesitant to bring their children to the health center to avail the essential health and nutrition services due to fear of contracting COVID-19.
The OPT Plus is the annual weighing of all under-five children or those 0-59 months old. This activity is done in all barangays in the country every year from January-March. The conduct of OPT Plus is important to identify and locate the malnourished children in the community that should be given priority in the provision of nutrition interventions. OPT Plus data also help the community in determining the severity and nature of malnutrition in their locality that can be used as reference in planning nutrition programs and interventions. The OPT Plus is carried out in the communities by the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and other health and nutrition workers.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) issued Memorandum No. 010 dated December 15, 2020 to provide the local government units (LGU) with a guide on how to conduct the OPT Plus, nutrition screening, growth monitoring and promotion activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other related disasters. The guidelines are in line with various DOH Department memorandum and circulars on the provision and delivery of essential health and nutrition services in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidelines provide LGUs the option to use the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements instead of the weight and length/height measurements to limit the contact of the health/nutrition worker with the infant or child during OPT. Members of the OPT Team are advised to thoroughly disinfect the measuring equipment after every use and between measurements using diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol. They should also be trained on how to practice infection and prevention control (IPC) measures when taking measurements.
After locating and identifying the malnourished children during OPT, regular growth monitoring and promotion activities should be done, continued, and reported. It is important to monitor the growth and development of malnourished children especially those who are wasted and severely wasted to prevent further deterioration of their health and nutritional status by giving them timely and appropriate nutrition services. Health and nutrition workers are encouraged to conduct regular follow-up of children using SMS, Facebook messenger and other available virtual platforms whenever face-to-face home visits are not feasible.
An important feature of the OPT Plus guidelines is a Decision Tree to help LGUs determine the method of measurement, tools for measurement, and what recording and reporting tool to use during conduct of OPT Plus, nutrition screening and GMP activities depending on the COVID-19 situation in their locality. However, the city/municipality should only use one (1) assessment method for all barangays, either traditional weight and height, or MUAC, for children 6-59 months. Children 0-5 months are automatically measured using the traditional weight and height.
The NNC-NCR reminds the LGUs to comply with the interim guidelines and calls for the support of the community for the safe conduct of OPT Plus and GMP activities.
Click the link below to download a copy of the memorandum: https://www.nnc.gov.ph/component/phocadownload/category/63-policies-plans-activities?download=2612:nnc-memorandum-no-010-dated-december-15-2020
(TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
