El Cielito Inn, Makati City – As part of “Capacity Building” for health workers, the City Nutrition Council of Calamba headed by CNAO Aleli Catalina Y. Jimenez conducted Child Growth Standard training last 13 – 15 March 2012. The 3-day training included: 1) Introduction (definition of terms); 2) Measuring of Child’s Growth; 3) Interpreting Growth Indicators; and 4) Counselling of Growth and Feeding. The training made use of various instructional methods such as reading, written exercises, discussions, role play, demonstration, and a practicum in order to capacitate the participants with knowledge and skills in weight and height measurements, age in onths computation, plotting of growth chart, and nutrition counselling.

Participants were health workers from the different barangays of Calamba City. They were composed of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), midwives and nurses. Ms. Ma. Eileen B. Blanco, OIC-RNPC of National Nutrition Council Region IV and Ms. Jennifer M. Tañag, ND IV of Center for Health Development – DOH facilitated the training. Participants had their practicum at Barangay Bangkal Health Care Center. The participants had the opportunity to apply what they learned from the training. Ms. Socorro Alma Gammad,

Chief, Nutrition Division of Makati City gave a brief orientation on nutrition and health services. She likewise shared some inputs on getting accurate measurements, tips on interviewing and counselling mothers. She toured the participants in the 4 storey – Health Center properly equipped and maintained and offering diverse health and nutrition services.

It was indeed an enriching experience of the participants of the CGS training of Calamba City. Another batch of CGS training is scheduled on 16 – 18 April at El Cielito Inn, Sta. Rosa City.