Siquijor Province - With the initiative of the Provincial Nutrition Coordinator and ND III Pamela P. Dominguez together with Nutritionist Dietitian II Karen F. Abe of DOH CV CHD/NNC 7, and nutrition point persons in assigned LGUs performed weighing scale calibration earlier in January of 2023. The activity was done in all six (6) municipalities in the Province of Siquijor namely Enrique Villanueva, Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan and Siquijor. The calibration is essential to ensure accurate weighing results during the first quarter growth monitoring of children 0-59 months termed Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus).
According to ND III Dominguez, “it is negligent to weigh the children with non- calibrated weighing scales since the accuracy of scales becomes less reliable for the longer period. It is necessary (to do this) earlier in January of 2023 (so) we can prescribe calibration and verification of all weighing scales used in 134 barangays of the LGUs in the Province of Siquijor in preparation for 2023 OPT Plus”. ND III Dominguez also emphasized the importance of the need to properly maintain the weighing scales and height boards and the significance of regular calibration of these tools to ensure reliability, accuracy, and integrity of OPT Plus data.
Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) is a data generated used for nutritional assessment, planning and evaluation of local nutrition program. Barangay health and nutrition workers are tasked with monitoring the weight and height measurements of all preschoolers 0-59 months old in the community to identify and locate the malnourished children and identify who will be given priority interventions. In collaboration with the Municipal Treasurer’s Office, the Provincial Nutrition Committee personnel who were trained on weighing scale calibration conducted calibration of all the weighing scales in the LGUs using test weights.
This activity also addresses the issue of generating quality nutrition data of nutritionally at-risk children during the annual OPT Plus and monthly monitoring of identified clients needing the same. // ND II Karen F. Abe, RND
