In maintaining the coordinated and harmonized nutrition activities across its member agencies, the National Nutrition Council Caraga conducted the Q1 CY2021 Regional Nutrition Technical Working Group meeting last February 26, 2021 via Zoom Video Conferencing to discuss relevant updates on nutrition program, projects and activities and technical concerns and action lines. RNTWG members present were: Ms. Teresita Lina Medrano & Ms. Lovely Camancho-Dagupan of DOH-CHD Caraga, Ms. Jennyvie Manabat of DA Caraga, Ms. Jennifer Gaitano of PIA Caraga, Ms. Nelia Balacuit of DepED Caraga, Ms. Evelyn Sitoy of DAR Caraga, Ms. Maida Lynn Jaguit of DOLE Caraga, Mr. Melchor Bautista of PSA Caraga, Mr. Keith Bryan Angeles of FDA Caraga, and Mr. Jundom Senobin of DSWD Caraga.
As part of the updating activities on the current nutrition situation, OIC-NPC Retsebeth M. Laquihon, RND, MPD, MDM started the meeting with a presentation and discussion on the results of the Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is one of the DOST-FNRI’s response to combat the COVID-19 pandemic through the Republic Act No. 11469, also known as the Bayanihan Act, and in alignment to its mandate to fight malnutrition through accurate data, correct information, and innovative technologies. Its general objective is to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on food and nutrition security in areas with high, medium, and low level of risk to COVID-19 infection. Specifically, the rapid nutrition assessment survey aims to determine the following food, nutrition, and health indicators in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: (1) Food security status among households, including household dietary diversity, food access, food sources, as well as coping mechanisms and strategies during community quarantine; (2) Participation of children and pregnant women on micronutrient supplementation (i.e. vitamin A and MNP), supplementary/dietary supplementation, nutrition counselling and related support services, growth monitoring, deworming, and among others during COVID-19 pandemic; (3) Participation of households on food production, food assistance, social amelioration program among others; and (4) Infant and young child feeding practices among families with children 0-23 months old.
NOI Raphael P. Ochavo, RN presented then presented the newly launched supplementation program dubbed as "Tutok Kainan", which aims to help in the prevention of stunting among children ages 0-23 months old by improving the quality and quantity of food and nutrient intake of nutritionally at risk pregnant women and children 6-23 months old. Bu way of EO 101, the Task Force Zero Hunger was created where NNC is an active member. The Task Force divided the hunger problems into six (6) pillars representing six (6) Key Result Areas where a TWG is focused on, these are: (1) to look at the country’s policy environment; (2) to look at food production and see if the country is producing enough food; (3) to end all forms of malnutrition; (4) accessibility of food; (5) sustainability; and (6) people participation. In her speech, Execuvite Director Dayanghirang presented a call to action for TUTOK : T- tap all relevant partners from government, LGUs, academe, CSA, business, UN and development partners to support programs for pregnant women and children 6-23 months;U-upgrade our way of doing business through innovative solutions; T-trigger additional investments in the LGU investment and development plan; O-organize the stakeholders involved in the supply-demand food chain for impact and sustainability; K-kakayanin basta sama-sama! NOI Ochavo also presented the proposed 2021 Nutrition Month celebration activities, which is focused on the First 1000 Days campaign.
NOII Leah Vina P. Vargas, RN, MN also shared to the RNTWG members the NNC Intermin Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT, GMP, Nutrition Screeing in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The issuance layout the guidelines in conducting health and nutrition activities are still to be done during health facility visits, community outreach and if the situation allows, strict observance of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. The Department of Health also suggests the use of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tapes thru Department Memorandum 2020-0237, instead of the weight and height measuring tools to reduce physical contact of health care providers to children as an adaptation to the new normal situation. NOII Vargas also presented and discussed the updates on MELLPI Pro guidellines and the 2021 MELLPI schedule, in which few members of the RNTWG has already confirmed their participation.
NOII Ivy Sheryl C. Sablas, RND then presented the updates on the Capacity Map of LGUs and areas for technical assistance and support. The report presented triggered an immediate action for the part of the NNC and the LGUs to find new ways to capacitate the nutrition workers, most especially the Barangay Nutrition Scholars being the frontine worker in the barangays, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt delivery of nutrition and health services and the conduct of trainings.
Lastly, NOII Aldrin S. Atienza, RN, REMT-B presented and discussed the updates on the results of the monitoring of local nutrition committee functionality. A total of 7 targeted LGUs where monitored and was provided with technical assistance as to the management and operation of nutrition programs. Ms. Evelyn Sitoy of DAR Caraga suggested that the reports must be presented and discussed with the local chief executive in order to gain support and create more awareness on their nutrition situation.
The RNTWG meeting was concluded with a message from OIC-NPC Laquihon, encouraging the members of the TWG to continue to support the nutrition program, looking forward for an improvement of the nutrition situation for Caraga Region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author: NOI Raphael P. Ochavo, RN
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