Butuan City- Life-saving interventions, particularly for children, was the main discussion during the Healthy Forum in the New Normal, a Webinar spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council Caraga on 18 July 2022 via Zoom Conferencing in celebration of the Nutrition Month (NM).

Nutritionist Dietitian, Ms. Shorea Lyn Awa of the Provincial DOH of Agusan del Norte talked about the importance of breastfeeding and COVID 19.

Ms. Awa emphasized that the best food with a full package of nutrients is found in the mother’s breast.

Breastmilk is always clean, covers all the baby’s needs for the first 6 months and promotes adequate growth and development, Ms. Awa added.

On the other hand, Dr. Rene Gerard Galera, Jr, Nutrition Specialist of the UNICEF Philippines discussed the Simplified Approaches Spotlight on Family Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC).

The interventions intended for child malnutrition, particularly for acute malnutrition, are very important as their condition can be reversed with proper food, nutrition and care when recognized and treated, Dr. Galera added.

He made mention of the Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) an important referral system in managing acute malnutrition.

PIMAM identified four principles, to include: maximum coverage and access, timeliness, appropriate care and care: when and where it is needed.

Further, Dr. Reyveen Geli, City Nutrition Action Officer of Tandag shared the best practices of the local government unit particularly during the lockdowns and quarantines.

Infant and young child feeding practices coupled with ordinances are being implemented in 21 barangays in Tandag, Dr. Geli added.

According to Dr. Geli, all implementations are possible given enough skills, knowledge and attitude to nutrition workers and advocates.

The first webinar series was attended by 308 participants via zoom and all others through Facebook live.