The Technical Working Group of the Regional Nutrition Anti-Hunger Committee (RNAHC) convened to update the 2012-2016 Regional Nutrition Strategic Action Plan. A 2-day planning workshop was held at the Jardin de La Viña Hotel, Zamboanga City on 24 – 25 February attended by RNAHC member agencies and academe.
The objective of the workshop was to update the 2012 – 2016 Regional Nutrition Strategic Action Plan and address the nutrition challenges per finding of the 8th national nutrition survey, Regional Program Implementation Review in 2014 and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation of the 2011 – 2016 PPAN. Specifically the workshop updated the targets, strategies and interventions for the last two remaining years 2015 – 2016.
The 2012 – 2016 RNSAP provides the directions and strategies in accelerating the reduction of underweight and stunting in children. It also identifies the interventions to ensure that households would have regular access to food and essential health care services that will keep children properly nourished and healthy to achieve their optimum growth and development.
The NNC 9 coordinated and facilitated the 2 day planning workshop. The RNSAP which was formulated in 2012 was assessed in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness to meet the Millennium Development Goals as well as improving the nutrition indicators for protein-energy malnutrition, specific micronutrient deficiencies and the feeding practices for the young children.
Given the results of the 8th NNS as bases for the review of the plan, targets and intervention as well as strategies were modified and additional new ones were identified for the remaining two years of the RNSAP. Adjustments were also made in the targets for 2015 -2016 as well as new funding requirements for the program interventions were identified. The framework of the updated RNSAP had been set during the 2-days workshop and the RTWG of the Regional Nutrition and Anti Hunger Committee will meet again for finalization of the draft that will be submitted to the RNAHC in April for approval and adoption.
