NNC9 participates in the CapDev Training for BNSs and BHWs of Dumingag, ZDS

Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 03 August 2022

On July 27, 2022, the Municipality of Dumingag, spearheaded by the newly-elected Municipal Mayor, Hon. Gerry T. Paglinawan, in partnership with NNC9 and the Provincial Nutrition Office of Zamboanga del Sur successfully held the Capacity Enhancement Training for BNS and BHW Chairman with no more than one hundred ten (110) participants from forty-four (44) barangays. This activity aims to better equip the capabilities of the barangay-based volunteer workers in a sustainable manner to improve their competence and skills in delivering nutrition and health-related services in their respective barangays.

During the training, DMO II Ms. Marie-Claire Gaas discussed the roles and functions of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), along with the legal basis, qualifications, and recruitment process of both barangay-based workers. A BNS is a barangay-based volunteer worker responsible for delivering to the barangay nutrition services and other related activities. Under the Presidential decree 1569, there should be at least one (1) BNS per barangay. On the other hand, a BHW is a person who has undergone training programs under any accredited government and NGO who voluntarily renders primarily health care services in the community. It is also stated in Republic Act 7883 that the total BHW in the Philippines should not exceed one percent (1%) of the total population. The roles and functions of BNS, and BHW should be complementary.

Moreover, DMO II Gaas presented the 2022 Operation Timbang Plus (OPT) results of the municipality with the comparative data last 2021. It was noted that there is a significant decrease in the prevalence rate of underweight and stunting for 2022, while there is a significant increase in the prevalence rate of wasting, overweight and obesity. The presentation of the LGU’s OPT results was intended to trigger actions to improve the efforts of the LGU as well as the local nutrition and health workers to work more on doing nutrition interventions to improve the health and nutritional wellbeing of their constituents especially the children.

Along with the topics discussed, are the forms of malnutrition which were discussed thoroughly by ZDS PNAO Ms. Grace Sumogue with the reinforcement on how to fill out the household and family profile forms. She emphasized that these forms serve as records of basic information about the preschoolers and the family to which they belong, are useful to prepare the barangay profile and barangay spot map, and are essential elements for nutritional assessment and planning.

ndeed, the need for BNS and BHW programs to be implemented and strengthened by the Local Government Unit (LGU) must be given priority. The effective implementation of nutrition and health-related services at the barangay level shall only be achieved if these barangay-based volunteer workers will continuously be provided with reinforcement sessions and activities like this to keep them on track. Meanwhile, NNC9 will continuously support the LGUs in capacitating their health and nutrition workers by giving them constant technical assistance.

DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas

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