Quezon City – COVID -19 pandemic poses threat to public safety and health. At this time of health crisis, access to food is one of the major concerns. The health and nutrition of the vulnerable groups – infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, older persons and indigenous people (IP) are at risk. Prevalence of undernutrition might spike-up given the situation where food supply becomes limited especially to those whose source of livelihood is temporarily closed. With the current situation, nutrition of the vulnerable groups must also be given attention to prevent further aggravation of their nutritional status.
At the local level, our nutrition workers did not cease in providing nutrition services amid the COVID-19 crisis we are experiencing today. Aside from the food assistance, distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) to undernourished children is being conducted in MIMAROPA provinces. Also micronutrient supplementation, through providing of Micronutrient powder (for 6-59 months old children undernourished children), Vitamin A (for 6-59 months old children, senior citizens and lactating mothers) and ferrous sulfate with folic acid (for pregnant women) is continued.
Marinduque provided complementary foods produced in their food processing unit to 6-23 months old underweight and severely underweight children while dietary supplementation thru provision of egg to 24-59 months old underweight and severely underweight children. Also, carabao milk and egg were distributed to 24-59 months old undernourished children of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro.
In Occidental Mindoro and Romblon, promotion of breastfeeding and monitoring of Milk Code through social media are being done. Protection, promotion and support to breastfeeding should be observed especially now that donations of infant formula milk are proliferating at this situation. Exclusive breastfeeding for 0-6 months infants and continued breastfeeding for 6 months to 2 years and beyond with provision of safe and appropriate complementary foods are beneficial at all times to ensure optimum nutrition for the young children.
In Narra and Aborlan Palawan, their “Kusina sa Barangay” is in operation delivering hot meals to undernourished children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Also, in Calapan City, community kitchen in its barangays are also delivering meals to undernourished children and to other vulnerable population. On the other hand, the Calapan City Health and Sanitation Department thru its Nutrition Section and Marinduque’s Nutri-bite Canteen are preparing meals for their front line workers.
Furthermore, vegetable seeds (e.g. kalabasa, upo, okra, talong, sitao, pechay, kangkong, mustasa) were distributed in Naujan, and Victoria Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan, Calapan City and Puerto Princesa City to promote food security among households. Food production in the community/household would make nutritious foods available and accessible and would prevent hunger and malnutrition.
In this time of pandemic, infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, older persons and indigenous people (IP) should be protected and prioritized. These nutrition services are essential response to prevent our vulnerable groups from hunger and undernutrition. (BLVMEstrella)
(Photo credits to Ms. Mace Mañibo, PNO Marinduque, Ms. Ana Lualhati Hernandez, Ms. Mayra Escovidal, Ms. Emelia Riambon, Mr. Roy Oniot Jr. and Ms. Rowena Nerona)
