CNC will focus on feeding strategies to tackle malnutrition
Members of the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) had identified strategies to make supplemental feeding a priority in the 27 barangays during the City Nutrition Committee Meeting on February 23, 2021.
The CNC is proposing to the 27 barangays to implement its own feeding program in which they can use 25 percent of the 1 million pesos – aid to component barangay under the Barangay Empowerment Program. In addition, the CNC recognized the need to work vigorously with the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) to tackle the problem of malnutrition.
According to City Nutrition Action Officer Nancy A. Adalin, MN, in addition to local government-funded feeding programs, it is important for the Barangay to have its own feeding program.
By 2020, the number of malnutrition cases in Barangay GPS has reached 6%, which is the highest. According to Adalin, this may be due to the large population size and its location as an urban barangay. Barangay Topland has only 3% fewer cases, the lowest of 27 barangays.
During the meeting, Adalin reported on the outcome of Oplan Timbang by the end of the year 2020. The nutritional status of 0 to 59 months old PSC per barangay, comparative nutritional status of the city from 2020-2021, ordinance in the institutionalization of BNS program were also tackled during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Ms. Christine Charl Nadela, the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of South Cotabato spoke about the Tutok Kainan Project of the National Nutrition Council (NNC). Tutok Kainan program will provide the Enhanced Nutribun, ready-to-eat lipid-based nutritional supplement and hot meals once implemented in the City of Koronadal. Malnourished pregnant women and children aged 6 to 23 months are specifically targeted to prevent child stunting in the first two years of life or the period referred to as the First 1000 Days.
On the other hand, City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena said in his message that during this time of pandemic people need to strengthen their immune system through a proper and adequate diet. To meet food needs, the government is now focusing on livelihood programs for farmers. Meanwhile he said that not all foods are good for the body that is why the right diet and food choice should be taken into account.
As stunting becomes irreversible due to nutritional deficiencies, the City Nutrition Office hopes to implement prevention strategies through better planning and implementation of programs on nutrition.