Cebu Province –NNC 7, DOH – CHD 7 and AmeriCares have collaborated to train 15 batches of Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) for Basic Course in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition.
The first batch was held on 26-28 March in San Remegio Cultural Center and Leisure, San Remegio, Cebu with 27 participants. . The training was facilitated by DOH – CHD 7 ND IV Ms. Julieta G. Totur, NNC 7 NO III Ms. Susan Y. Orpilla, San Remegio MNAO Dr. Orleta B. Ursal and MNPC Ms. Delma Ledesma. Dr. Parolita A. Mission, NPC of NNC 7 and Mr. Riaz Khalil, Manager, Emergency Response gave their respective Inspirational Messages.
The trainings covered the basic course for the BNSs, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) reporting format and Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM). The training aims to develop the knowledge and skills as well as the core values and traits of nutrition workers for them to perform their roles and functions effectively, improve their record and reporting system especially along IYCF and CMAM.
CMAM is a methodology for treating acute malnutrition in young children using a case-finding and triage approach. Using the CMAM method, malnourished children receive treatment suited to their nutritional and medical needs. The CMAM approach enables community volunteers to identify and initiate treatment for children with acute malnutrition before they become seriously ill. Caregivers provide treatment for the majority of children with severe acute malnutrition in the home using Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and routine medical care. When necessary, severely malnourished children who have medical complications or lack an appetite are referred to in-patient facilities for more intensive treatment. CMAM programmes also work to integrate treatment with a variety of other longer-term interventions. These are designed to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and improve public health and food security in a sustainable manner.
The second and third batches were conducted for the Medellin, Cebu at the Mercedes Plantation Golf and Country Club last 02 – 04 April 2014 and Pilar, Camotes last 07 – 09 April 2014 with 19 and 26 attendees, respectively. The Tabuelan and Tabogon leg which had 12 and 25 participants happened on 21-23 April and 23-25 April, respectively. These capability building activities will be completed by 30 May 2014.
These trainings are funded by Americares as part of their assistance for nutrition to the fifteen (15) Haiyan-affected municipalities. //DFB
