Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur- The commodities for acute malnourished children, the ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), or supplies for nutrition are now with the barangays and municipalities of Agusan del Sur as these commodities are important to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 years old.

Delivered by the Department of Health, the said commodities are arranged for distribution by the Provincial Nutrition Office, headed by PNAO Laniebelle Anchangco, to the different local government units in the province before the end of February 2022.

The RUTF is a peanut-based paste that is energy-dense, mineral- and vitamin-enriched food that does not require any preparation or refrigeration. This is a ready-to-eat food in a packet, which means it doesn’t have to be mixed with potentially contaminated water.

Multivitamins with iron for pregnant women will help mothers to prepare their body during and after pregnancy. It also helps in the development of the baby in their wombs.

On the other hand, supplementation of vitamin A reduces the morbidity and mortality of the child as it aids normal vision, improves the immune system and helps the organs work properly.

PNAO Laniebelle Angchangco, NDDP Jerome Cadelina and PNFP Mariella Rayco facilitated the distribution of nutrition commodities to different barangays of Agusan del Sur.

In addition to the distribution of these commodities, the team provided brief orientation on the importance of maternal nutrition and health care, Pinggang Pinoy for pregnant and lactating mothers and orientation on the utilization of RUTF of moderately acute malnourished (MAM) children.

Meanwhile, the team included anthropometric measurements to pregnant women (height, weight and mid upper arm circumference or MUAC) to identify their nutritional status. #MPRayco