The National Nutrition Council released the Interim Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) Activities in the context of COVID-19 Pandemic and other related disasters on January 4, 2021 through Memorandum No. 10 S. 2021 which will serve as guide among the Local Government Units in the conduct of the said nutrition assessment for 2021.

This is in line with the provisions of DOH-Department Circular 2020-0167 Continuous Provision of Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Epidemic and DOH-Department Memorandum 2020-0237 Interim Guidelines for the Delivery of Nutrition Services in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic Under Growth and Monitoring.

The conduct of this year’s nutrition assessment is very important to measure the possible effect of COVID-19 pandemic in the health and nutrition situation not only at the local level but also regionwide and nationwide.

The results will be used by the LGUs, national government and other concerned sectors in prioritizing interventions and aligning its nutrition actions to cover the most vulnerable groups and places.

The usual conduct of the OPT Plus is highly encouraged in MGCQ areas given that the OPT plus team will comply with the minimum public health standards like wearing of facemask, face shield and physical distancing including frequent disinfection of OPT plus equipment.

The use of MUAC measurement for children 6-59 months was also suggested especially in high-risk areas and for households who refused that their children will be assessed to minimize physical contact between the measurer and the child.

The safety of everyone is still the main priority in the implementation of OPT plus while everyone is forward looking for the COVID-19 vaccine./CPF