LGU Esperanza conducted activities intended to raise awareness about diabetes, promote awareness of good nutrition, and call for strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity on nutrition improvement as the nation shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus.

The Municipal Health Office of Esperanza in collaboration with the National Nutrition Council XII and DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region conducted Diabetes Awareness Week with the theme "Daya-betes? Kaya i-beat this!" and the 48th Nutrition Month Culmination Activity with the theme "New Normal na Nutrition, Sama- samang gawan ng solution!"

Present during the said activity were representatives from the Health Promotion Bureau of DOH Central Office; DOH XII Regional Director, Aristides Conception Tan, MD, MPH, CESO III; PHO and PNAO of Sultan Kudarat Province, Gina Galinato, MD, MHcA; MHO of LGU Esperanza, Helson Laspiñas, MD, MAHA; OHCC Medical Coordinator, Zenaida Donguines, RN, DNE, MAN, DHCM; Brgy. Councilors, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

The 20 barangays of LGU Esperanza participated in the different Nutrition Month contests that the Municipal Nutrition Office also organized, including the Basic Food Group Display, Poster Making Contest, and Cooking Contest.

NNC XII represented by DMO II of Sultan Kudarat Province, Ruby Ann Laurito, delivered the key nutrition message during the said activities. She emphasized the significance of healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle to help prevent non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, and highlighted the importance of good nutrition to help improve an individual’s resistance to diseases.

Moreover, to achieve the nutritional outcomes of PPAN and become a Nutrition Champion, DMO II Laurito urged everyone to be involved in breaking the cycle of malnutrition. (DMOIILaurito/NOIIIFlores/RNPCLaquihon)