Micronutrients are essential to support the body’s important biological processes, and are also needed to prevent serious health problems. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals, specifically vitamins A, D, E, K, and C as well as the B-complex vitamins— thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12). Minerals on the other hand include calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iodine (I).

In the Philippines, micronutrient deficiencies particularly vitamin A, iron, and iodine deficiency are still of public health concern. According to the Micronutrient Supplementation Manual of Operations released by the Department of Health (DOH), micronutrient deficiencies have considerable impact on economic productivity, growth and national development.

Hence, micronutrient supplementation interventions are delivered through the Micronutrient Supplementation Program (MSP). This program is one of the nutrition-specific programs of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, which aims to respond to the micronutrient malnutrition in the country. The program focuses on the provision of pharmaceutically-prepared vitamins and minerals for the treatment and prevention of specific micronutrient deficiencies to complement food intake.

Low birth weight infants, 6-59-month-old children, pregnant women (PW) and lactating women, female adolescents (10-14 years old), and non-pregnant/non-lactating women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) are the population groups prioritized in the MSP. And since the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies is not the same among the various population groups, the intervention package and delivery system is tailored for specific age, population, and socio-economic groups. Below are the interventions given based on specific age and population:

• Vitamin A for 6-11 months (100,000 IU), and 12-23 months (200,000 IU) at 1 capsule every 6 months; Vitamin A for postpartum women (200,000 IU)
• Iron-folic acid (60mg EI, 400 mcg FA) for pregnant women at 1 tab/day x 180 days
• Calcium carbonate (PW), iodized oil capsule (for PLW), micronutrient powder (for 6-23), Weekly Iron Folic Acid (WIFA) (for Women of Reproductive Age), zinc, etc.

The overall delivery of the abovementioned micronutrient supplementation packages is integrated in the existing Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN); other ongoing health programs and services; and other venues that may best reach the target clients in four major delivery settings— the healthcare facilities, outreach programs, campaigns, and temporary shelters.

Moreover, one of the avenues in the delivery of micronutrient supplementation services is through the Garantisadong Pambata (GP) Program. It is an integrated package of services concerning health, nutrition, and environmental sanitation that mainly covers micronutrient supplementation of vitamin A and iron among children and is conducted every April and October.

Through these initiatives, we are secured that good quality micronutrient supplementation services and interventions are provided to the vulnerable groups— infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, and all other women of reproductive age; thereby, staying at course with the PPAN, warranting that truly, sa PPAN, panalo ang bayan! (NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes)

References:

Department of Health Region 1. (6 May 2020). Garantisadong Pambata. Retrieved on 21 April 2022 from https://ro1.doh.gov.ph/programs-services/local-health-and-technical-assistance/family-health-cluster/32-programs-projects-services/local-health-and-technical-assistance/family-health/263-garantisadong-pambata

Department of Health. (n.d). Garantisadong Pambata. Retrieved on 21 April 2022 from https://doh.gov.ph/garantisadong-pambata

Department of Health. (n.d). Micronutrient Supplementation Program. Retrieved on 21 April 2022 from https://doh.gov.ph/micronutrient-program

Department of Health. (n.d). MOP. Micronutrient Supplementation. Retrieved on 21 April 2022 from https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/MOP-Micronutrient%20Supplementation.pdf

Food and Nutrition Bulletin. (2000). The Philippine micronutrient supplementation programme. Retrieved on 21 April 2022 from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/156482650002100432