Palo, Leyte- Despite the threat of COVID-19 pandemic, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are now searching for 0-59 months children ready for the Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) assessment conducted every first quarter of the year pursuant to National Nutrition Council (NNC) Governing Board Resolution No. 2, Series of 2012.

The annual OPT+ generates data on the nutritional status of children in the barangay,municipality or city and craft a good nutrition program planning at the local level and conduct a priority-based management and evaluation of local nutrition programs.

For 2021, an Interim Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth and Monitoring Promotion (GMP) Activities in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Related Disasters are now with the LGUs through NNC Memorandum No. 010 series of 2020.

The Memorandum was in accordance with the DOH Department Circular 2020-0167, entitled, Continuous Provision of Essential Health Services during COVID-19 Epidemic and DOH Department Memorandum 2020-0237 Interim Guidelines for the Delivery of Nutrition Services in the context of COVID-19 Pandemic under Growth and Development Monitoring and Promotion.

This include geographic classification where assessment protocols are by means of different COVID-19 scenarios among local government units.

For zero cases and importation or Stages 1-2, nutrition screening, growth monitoring and promotion activities can be done using weight for height and weight for length including MUAC measurements.

On the other hand, for Stage 3 or localized transmission, weight for length, MUAC and bilateral pitting edema are helpful nutritional assessment during pandemic.

Meanwhile, RNPC Dotollo encourages everyone to support the conduct of the OPT+ and nutrition assessment following health protocols set by the government.

Results of the OPT+ from the six provinces and seven cities in the region are integrated by the NNC to produce the Eastern Visayas nutrition situation among children 0-59 months. #NASLabordo