Ayungon, Negros Oriental - The Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) of Ayungon prepared its health and nutrition work force for the full implementation Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) as it conducted an orientation on 12 August 2022. The activity was spearheaded by the Rural Health Unit headed by MHO/MNAO Dr. Irving P. Dincong in coordination with the Negros Oriental Provincial Health Office. The speakers were Ms. Antonieta Delfino, Provincial Nutrition Program Coordinator and Ms. Lyneth Anne Amahit, Negros Oriental Information Management Officer of the National Nutrition Council Region VII.
The PMAM, specifically the Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) such as extreme wasting or stunting for children under 5 years of age, is one of the core lifesaving interventions to prevent deaths due to severe wasting.
A low weight-to-height ratio is referred to as wasting. Even while it might last for a long period, it frequently signifies recent and substantial weight loss. Most of the time, it happens when a person hasn't eaten enough food or hasn't eaten enough of it in a timely manner. If untreated, wasting in children carries a higher chance of mortality. Through evidence-based, efficient, and life-saving measures, the PIMAM program helps in the management of acute malnutrition and increase the survival of children enrolled in the program.
Children with moderate acute malnutrition have a higher risk of mortality associated with nutrition-related deaths. If they do not receive adequate support and equitable attention, severe acute malnutrition such as extreme wasting or stunting may happen, which are both life-threatening conditions
With all the nurses, midwives and BNSs oriented of the program, they are now ready to do active case finding of children with SAM and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and rehabilitate them through the provision of Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and Ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF).
The Ayungon MNC headed by Municipal Mayor Hon. Dennis N. Amancio pledged to enhance the municipality's nutritional position while also bolstering the delivery of its nutrition and related programs and services. // ND II Raya Faith A. Luce, RND
