Region X

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 05 September 2018

ANGE6041 5b86330e7f9338 29520406 11 LANAO DEL NORTE, August 24 (PIA) — Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 unraveled the myths and revealed the truths about breastfeeding through a Breastfeeding "MOM" Advocacy Forum in Lanao del Norte on August 24, 2018.

Telesfora G. Madelo, Nutritionist-Dietitian IV of DOH 10, shared that lactating mothers should not forget and undermine the importance of breastfeeding to the babies and themselves.

She reiterated the Breastfeeding TSEK “Tama; Sapat; EKslusibo.”

‘Tama’ or ‘Correct’ means immediate skin-to-skin contact and initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour (within 3 to 4 hours if by caesarean delivery); “Sapat” or “Enough” for little is enough but frequent breastfeeding increases breastmilk supply; and “EKslusibo” or “Exclusive” which says only breast milk and no water nor any other liquid for the first six months.

DOH said that BF TSEK is important because it reduces risk of death with early initiation, improves survival rate by 26 percent with breastfeeding within the first hour and 16 percent within the day, reduces risk of serious illness with other milks, and contributes to higher intelligence which translates to better school performance.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 13 August 2018

Food Gardening Everybody knows how important proper nutrition is. However, nutrition is often slighted. Serving healthy meal options on the dining table can be a reality struggle for many today.

Modern living has so much to do with the state of household nutrition of many Filipinos. Fast-paced lifestyle drives the preference for everything that comes instantly quick and easy due to demanding work and household errands. Time is literally gold for many and inadvertently, at times, nutrition is sidetracked.

Financial incapacity is another reason. Many Filipinos are still living below poverty line making it difficult to provide their family decent amount of nutritious foods.

The imminent challenge is for those who is financially-incapacitated and time-challenged to gain easy access to nutritious foods readily available for daily consumption.

Fully aware of this situation the National Nutrition Council (NNC) heightened its nutrition campaign this year by promoting food gardening as intermediary solution to address malnutrition.

With the theme “Ugaliing magtanim, sapat na nutrisyon aanihin!”, the 2018 Nutrition Month is geared towards advocating food gardening as stop-gap measure to address micronutrient deficiencies among children, reduce food poverty, increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and improve the socioeconomic condition of Filipinos.

“Establishing food garden creates a food-secure community wherein family gets fresh food from their backyard - they know what is in their backyard and know what they are putting up in their garden. Since variety of foods is available, family is assured of the nutrients needed to prevent micronutrient deficiencies. Growing your own fruits and vegetables will save money because you won’t need to buy as much food. Also, teaching children to garden gives them immeasurable life skills of independence while encouraging them to eat more vegetables as well” said Nutrition Council Region 10 OIC-NPC Gladys Mae S. Fernandez.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 18 June 2018

SAM edited Mosrifa Tomawis or “Ifa” as her parents and relatives calls her was admitted to the SAM program last August 4, 2017. Ifa is 25 months old, she was assessed as severely underweight for her age. She was admitted with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) having 11.1 cm mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). The normal cut-off points of MUAC for preschool children is 12.5 cm. Though, her weight for height was normal and no other complications present such as edema, Ifa still needs immediate care due to being severely acute malnourished. Ifa was then referred to a health personnel of UNICEF and was then taken good care by Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM), an NGO that provides nutritional intervention for the displaced residents of Marawi City.

Ifa and her family found shelter in the evacuation center of Buruun School of Fisheries, Iligan City. Her 20-year-old mother was seen by a psychiatrist in Iligan City and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Ifa’s first week in the program was quite challenging because despite having an appetite, she only ate small amount of RUTF and prefers “chichirya” or “junk foods”. Engaging the family to help Ifa recover and graduate in the SAM program specially with her mothers condition as primary caregiver makes it very difficult, her father too was not that cooperative.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 13 August 2018

Salt Monitoring with Caption 12-13 July 2018, Misamis Occidental- The Regional and Provincial Bantay Asin Task Forces (R/PBATF) intensify promotion and advocacy in ensuring that only adequately iodized salt will reach the households through the conduct of regular salt monitoring. As part of this year's Nutrition Month Celebration, the Provincial Bantay Asin Task Force (PABTF) of Misamis Occidental led by Board Member and Provincial Nutrition Committee Vice-Chairperson Dr. Emmanuel M. Cale spearheaded the 2-day salt monitoring in the markets and big establishments in the province in coordination with the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF). The RBATF who joined the monitoring were: PO3 Syvels N. Ybañez (PNP X), PO3 Peter Paul A. Ngalew (PCG), Ma. Auralyn V. Macalisang (FDA X), Ms. Eden M. Yee (PPA) and Princess Christine D. Tababa (NNC X).

Monitoring took place at selected point of sales particularly markets and establishments in Oroquieta City, Municipalities of Calamba and Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 29 May 2018

33921078 1033538030156031 7318624551556874240 n 28 May 2018 commenced the 5-day validation visit (May 28-June 1, 2018) of the inter-agency National Nutrition Evaluation Team (NET) to Gingoog City’s previous year’s nutrition performance. In 2017, Gingoog City was recognized for sustaining its exemplary performance on nutrition program implementation. This year is a battle to gain the 2nd year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) maintenance award.

The NET is headed by Ms. Alona E. Teo, Nutrition Officer II of the NNC-Nutrition Surveillance Division with Mr. Daniel Salunga- NO II, NNC-Nutrition Surveillance Division, Ms. Ana Castañeda- Faculty, University of the Philippines Los Baños- Institute of Human Nutrition and Food (UPLB-IHNF) and Maricon Aguibiador- Representative from Department of Trade and Industry.

The team paid courtesy call to Mayor Marie L. Guingona, the CNC chairperson and Vice Mayor Ruthie de Lara Guingona together with the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) members followed by the presentation of the city’s nutrition accomplishments and selection of the barangays to be visited.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 26 June 2018

BATF Reso June 26, 2018, Cagayan de Oro City - The Regional Nutrition Committee X approved the Strategic Plan 2019-2022 of Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) last June 19, 2018 during its 1^st Semester Meeting.

A concerted effort of the RBATF since 2016, the strategic plan was formulated as a living document in the implementation of plans and activities towards the goal of achieving Universal Salt Iodization in Northern Mindanao. Based on the National Nutrition Survey in 2015, Northern Mindanao has existing pocket of iodine deficiency disorder. Survey shows that the proportion of median UIE <50 ug/L was ≥ 20%, even if the median is > 100 ug/L or with “mild” IDD. In Region 10, the median and prevalence of UIE <50 ug/L among 6 -12 years in 2013 are 121 ug/L and 23.6%, respectively. For pregnant women, only 58 ug/L median UIE and has 44.1% <50 ug/L as well as lactating women with 53 ug/L of median UIE and 48.7% <50 ug/L or with mild IDD.