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RO9 eOPToolOn March 4, 2021, the Nutrition Division of the City Health Office of Zamboanga City, in collaboration with the National Nutrition Council Region IX, conducted an orientation regarding the new  e-OPT plus tool for Acute Malnutrition to the City Nutrition Program Coordinators (CNPCs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) of Zamboanga City.

The activity was made possible in response to the request of the city government to provide their nutrition staff and selected BNSs technical assistance on the new tool. The orientation was facilitated by Nutrition Officer III Elton Pelegrino as resource person and was participated by four (4) CNPCs / City Nutritionist-Dietitians, twenty-three (23) BNSs and three (3) NNC 9 newly hired technical staff.

The said activity was divided into two sessions; one in the morning and another in the afternoon. This is to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols for face-to-face meetings are observed. All participants were also encouraged to wear their face masks and observe social distancing.

One of the focal points of the orientation was to impart technical assistance in using the updated e-OPT tool to the BNS. This will be beneficial on their part because the masterlisting of children down to the identification of malnutrition, would be made easy. It was also reiterated by NO III Pelegrino that starting this year, the eligible populations for specific age groups will be automatically generated by the tool and the OPT Plus coverage must be at least 80%. In filling out the forms, it was highly encouraged that the data needed are complete and accurate. It was also emphasized that there should be hard copies or back-up soft copies of the forms, to guarantee that information are secured just in case computer files are corrupted. NO II Pelegrino also informed the participants that another tool for the regular eOPT is still on the process of improvement and will be shared to all LGUs once available

In addition, since acute malnutrition is already included in the updated eOPT, they were also instructed  on how to properly use the MUAC tapes and how to identify acute malnutrition among children using the reference table. For SAM, the result of the MUAC must be below 11.5cm (<11.5cm) and for MAM, it must be >11.5cm to <12.5cm. Aside from the MUAC, they were also informed on the other criteria in identifying acute malnutrition, that is, if the weight for length/ child is severely wasted or the child has bilateral pitting edema, it means that the child is Severely acute malnourished (SAM). If the weight for length/height of the child is wasted, it pertains that the child is Moderately acute malnourished (MAM). They are also reminded that SAM and MAM children must be referred to the nearest health facility.

During the orientation, the CNPCs raised concerns pertaining to the workload of the BNS. BNS are considered frontliners as well. Aside from being nutrition implementers and advocates, they also do their part in other health related activities on their respective barangays. Since the upsurge of the pandemic, additional tasks were also given to them, which then affects their main role in Nutrition. The BNS also appealed for reconsideration with regards to the submission of the OPT plus results from January to February 2021 without the MUAC and to resume the use of MUAC in March as they have already conducted their Operation Timbang Plus activities in some areas but they gave their assurance that they will make up with the MUAC measurement of children.

In closing, Ms. Virgie Sagrado, the City Nutrition Program Coordinator, gave a short message expressing her appreciation to the Barangay Nutrition Scholars for their time and effort attending the activity and for their selfless dedication to the nutrition program. She also thanked NNC 9 for their continued support in the provision of technical assistance whether requested or not. Together, we can fight malnutrition even amidst this COVID-19 Pandemic. Truly, lahat kasali, lahat kasalo in ending malnutrition.

 

PNC Marie-Claire Gaas

PNC Rowence Zorilla

NO II Joanna Marie Baltazar