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- Category: Region 10
27 November 2020, Cagayan de Oro City — The National Nutrition Council (NNC) conducted the virtual Soft Launch of the Tutok Kainan: Supplementation Program last 23 November 2020. The event was attended both onsite and virtually by various participants coming from government and private agencies which includes Local Chief Executives (LCE) and other local officials, Nutrition Actions Officers (NAOs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), representatives from partner agencies, recipient pregnant women, among others. Onsite Soft Launch was held at the NNC Office, Taguig City with simultaneous virtual broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Realization of the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program was made possible through NNC Executive Director Azucena M. Dayanghirang and the entire agency’s collaboration with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Zero Hunger chaired by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles. The program operationalizes the Republic Act 11148 also known as Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, which focuses on securing proper nutrition of those covered during the First 1000 Days (F1K) of life through the dietary supplementation of pregnant women and young children 6-23 months old. The First 1000 Days, also called the “golden window of opportunity” is the period when lifelong growth and development are established. F1K is one of the strategic thrusts of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022. The program is envisioned to resolve the country’s persistent problem on stunting, which also affects the child’s overall health, cognitive development and productivity. This program also serves as NNC’s response to mitigating malnutrition problems, especially at this time of the pandemic.
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The 2020 National Consciousness Week Against Counterfeit Medicine (NCWACM) with the theme, “Sa Gitna ng Pandemya, Magtulungan Laban sa Pekeng Medisina” is celebrated every third week of November. This year’s celebration aims to increase awareness about counterfeit medicines that still thrive especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic, and to relay the continuous efforts of stakeholders concerned in combating these counterfeit medicines.
As the pandemic continues to spread globally, it caused the surge of not only the fake face masks and other medical products related to the pandemic, but also the counterfeit medicines, especially for those over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or sold without prescription and those drugs that are requested at this time of health crisis.
Republic Act No. 8203 or the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs cover those that are counterfeit or fake medicine manufactured with harmful ingredients, those containing the correct ingredients but wrong amount of dose, or those with no active ingredients. They can also be mislabeled and apply for both generic drugs and branded drugs.
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- Category: Region 10
The Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week is celebrated every third week of November, which is observed with this year’s theme: “Better Knowledge for Better Care” to promote public awareness against the dangerous and ill-effects of illegal drug use and arousing public cooperation in the government’s anti-drug campaign.
Drug abuse exists when a person uses a drug frequently other than its intended purpose. This continued use of drug can lead to drug dependence, a state of physical and psychological dependence on drug consumption or both on a dangerous drug. This dependence causes significant problems in one or more areas of a person’s life.
As a person continues to use drugs, it must be remembered not only in abuse but it can still lead to addiction, legal offenses, serious health problems, and in worse cases, death. Also, it must be understood that there is no way to predict the effect that a drug can have on a person, especially if it’s their first time to try it, regardless of dose and amount. Given that each person’s brain and body chemistry are different, each person would also have different tolerance for drugs.
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- Category: Region 10
24 November 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – Population and Development (PopDev) Week is annually observed on 23-29 November under the Proclamation No. 76 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos on 20 October 1992. The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) with the cooperation of the Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to plan, organize and coordinate the activities for the celebration.
This year’s theme: “Addressing Demographic Vulnerabilities during Pandemic” focuses on addressing the country’s concerns on population growth that affects conditions brought by the COVID-19 crisis.
One of the critical health and safety measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19 is physical distancing, however, it is difficult particularly for households living in a small residential unit. POPCOM reported that 27.2% of the 13.867 million population live in 812,584 housing units that are under 20 square meters (sqm) each. A household with an average of 4 members, each has a living space of 4.5 sqm, has a higher chance of being infected with COVID-19.
Read more: Building crisis resilient community through Family Planning
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- Category: Region 10
Republic Act 10661 or “National Children’s Month Act” declares the celebration of the National Children’s Month (NCM) every November. This year commemorates the 28th year of celebrating the NCM. The theme of this year’s celebration is, “Sama-samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya!” calls for a holistic, collaborative care and support for children amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Children are entitled to four (4) core rights: survival, development, protection, and participation. Among these rights, survival rights capture a child’s right to good quality health care and nutrition services.
To ensure that children’s rights to good nutrition and health are prioritized in this pandemic, below are some tips that parents and caregivers should note:
Good quality nutrition. Childhood is characterized by a rapid growth and development. Thus, is it a given that children must be given nutritious foods to support their physical and cognitive needs and capabilities, most especially during this time of the pandemic. A Pinggang Pinoy for Kids was developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) as a healthy food guide for children.
Read more: Protecting children’s survival rights in the new normal
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According to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2017, 1 in 4 women aged 15-49 years old experienced violence from their husband or partner, whether be it in the form of physical, emotional or sexual violence. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 35% or 1 in 3 women have gone through physical and/or sexual violence.
While households are advised to stay at home and avoid non-essential trips due to the threat of COVID-19, the tendency of women to experience violence in the confines of their homes is increased. Further, the quarantine measures may also hinder women from seeking help, escaping from perpetrators and reporting the abuse done by their partners.
President Rodrigo Duterte on his 12th report to the Congress last 11 June 2020, there have been 2,183 and 2,077 cases of violence against women and children, respectively, accounted since the implementation of community quarantine measures in the country from March 2020.
VAWC remains a serious health concern and human rights violation especially in this pandemic, thus it must be addressed.
