Evacuees in Albay are facing various challenges while Mayon Volcano remains in a state of unrest due to the movement of potentially eruptible magma. Issues on the availability of food, safe water and sanitation facilities as well as the underlying health status of the population plague Mayon evacuation centers. In the nutrition assessment conducted last 19-26 of September in Malilipot, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Sto. Domingo and Tabaco City and Ligao City, there was a significant number of Moderate Acute Malnourished (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnourished (SAM), 241 (7.31%) and 84 (2.54%), respectively. Reaching the critical level of 5%, the situation requires immediate nutrition interventions. The high prevalence of underweight in the province of Albay is a pre-existing condition and continues to be a serious concern.
The Department of Health Regional Office V and National Nutrition Council in coordination with World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) conducted a 3-day Training on Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition for medical and allied health professionals held at Hotel Villa Angelina, Legazpi City on 15-17 October 2014.
Twenty-one (21) selected health professionals composed of midwives, nurses, project officers, nutrition coordinators, and nutritionists from Ligao and Legazpi Cities and municipalities of Daraga, Guinobatan, Camalig and Sto. Domingo, members of the regional nutrition cluster from Intervida Philippines Foundation, NNC and DOH RO V attended the said training.
The training focused on the Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) approach which enables the community volunteers to identify and initiate treatment for children with acute malnutrition before they become seriously ill. When necessary, severely malnourished children who have medical complications or lack an appetite are referred to in-patient facilities for more intensive treatment. CMAM programs also work to integrate treatment with a variety of other longer-term interventions. These are designed to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and improve public health and food security in a sustainable manner. Using the CMAM method, malnourished children receive treatment suited to their nutritional and medical needs. Most malnourished children can be rehabilitated at home with only a small number needing to travel for in-patient care.
Both DOH RO V Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa and Assistant Regional Director Napoleon L. Arevalo inspired the participants with their messages. Resource speakers were Dr. Rosa Maria B. Rempillo of DOH Region V, Dr. Rene Gerard C. Galera, Jr., of UNICEF, Ms. Susan C. Batutay of WFP and Ms. Margarita DC. Enriquez of NNC Central Office.
A comprehensive plan to implement CMAM in the respective areas was prepared by the group. Now, the participants are expected to set up the sites and storage area in preparation for the delivery from WFP of their donation of Ready-to-Use Supplementary food (RUSF) and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), two highly nutritious and recommended treatment foods for the identified MAM and SAM. - Mark James S. Andayog
