THE City Health Office (CHO) led the observance of the 48th National Nutrition Month which focused on reduction of stunting and the role of good nutrition in the prevention of COVID – 19.
To strengthen Tagbilaran City’s stance against the COVID-19 pandemic, the 48th Nutrition Month celebration was intensified among the mothers and children in all the 15 barangays. Since well-nourished children develop strong immunity, feeding among malnourished children and pregnant mothers were conducted. Mothers in every barangay were also given free lecture on nutrition thru “Idol ko si Nanay”.
The City Nutrition Committee in partnership with the City Vet and Agriculture Office also provided seedlings to the families with malnourished children. Backyard gardening and urban gardening contests were also launched to drumbeat the activity.
City Nutrition Officer Rey Delos Santos said that the City Health also held Healthy Food and Healthy Baby contests. OPT (Operation Timbang Plus) and deworming program were also carried out thru the barangay health workers. The city-wide activities for the Nutrition Month were launched in the City Hall Atrium with City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc welcoming the 15 Barangay Nutrition Councils with the barangay health workers, barangay nutrition scholars and the staff of the CHO. City Local Government Operations Officer (CLGOO) Regina Bastes led the Nutrition Pledge.
The theme, “New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon!” calls for strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity towards nutrition improvement as the country shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus. The theme signifies the key role of nutrition in building resilience from pandemic to endemic paradigm.
The term “new normal” was adopted to signify a transition to a better normal while bringing the positive impacts of the pandemic to become more resilient and to prevent future pandemics. It also aims to promote awareness and mobilize actions to address stunting. It calls for a collective vision of having taller Filipino children by preventing stunting through the participation of government, non-government organizations, civil society, business, academe, communities and families. (Jeanette Busano)
