On March 6, 2020 the Department of Health-CHD IX with the National Nutrition Council RO IX conducted an Orientation on the Nutrition Deliverables to 14 Nutritionist-Dietitians under DOH Human Resource for Health (HRH) Deployment Program assigned in the Local Government Units. Nutrition Program Coordinator Nimfa D. Ekong of NNC IX and Nutritionist-Dietitian IV Ms. Evelyn M. Capistrano of DOH-CHD IX led the whole day orientation conducted in the DOH Regional Health Training Center, Cabatangan, Zamboanga City. The orientation aims to review the NDs of their roles and functions in their respective areas and to update them on the current plans and programs for nutrition in the region.
With the Department of Health programs and activities together with the National Nutrition Council which aims to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 years old as well as the pregnant and lactating women in the region, the deployment of NDs in the local government units will help the local nutrition workers (the NAOs and BNSs) through technical assistance and rotational monitoring visits. Their functions in ensuring health and nutrition services to be properly served and implemented to all beneficiaries will greatly contribute to the achievement of the regional plan of action for nutrition 2019-2022 in reducing malnutrition particularly stunting among children under 5 in the region.
Relative to their functions as NDs, micronutrient supplementation to children, teenage, pregnant and lactating Women (T/PLWs) will also be on top priority. Micronutrient supplementation will improve nutritional status among these age-groups as the region reported to have a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiency based on the 2015 and 2018 National Nutrition Survey. In addition, to the National Nutrition Council’s strategies in mobilizing the Local Government Units the NDs are also requested to assist in the organization/reorganization of the Local Nutrition Committee, local nutrition action planning workshop, finalizing local nutrition action plans, and in integrating nutrition concerns in the local development plans and the annual investment plans. likewise, to assist the LGUs in the implementation of PPAN Nutrition Specific interventions, Promotes IYCF thru counseling, act as resource person during nutrition education, coordinates with different stakeholders when assisting in the implementation of various nutrition programs and validates result of the Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) in their respective assigned areas.
Improving nutritional status among children and other nutritionally at-risk individual is not merely solved through feeding, However, the problem of malnutrition can be reduced by a comprehensive assessment of plans and programs that are being implemented in the local government units. A thorough understanding, correct evaluation and assessment of the NDs in all the nutrition services to be given to beneficiaries will greatly contribute in alleviating nutritional well-being of every children and every individual in the region.
By: NO II Gabriel C. Tubigon
