Monday 21 March 2011

MALNUTRITION: Phillipines: The Provincial Nutrition Council is stepping up its campaign to eliminate malnutrition in the Antique province.

March 15, 2011: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique Mar 15 (PIA) – The Provincial Nutrition Council is stepping up its campaign to eliminate malnutrition in the province.
The prevalence rate of malnutrition in the province is on a decreasing trend from 14.28% (10, 940) in 2009 to 12.75% (10, 239) in 2010, PNC reported.
“We need to intensify our efforts to further reduce cases of malnourished children and eventually reach our target that no Antiqueño children will weigh below normal,” said Nida Pallon, Action Officer, PNC.
Since Antique is still on top of other provinces in Region 6 in terms of high prevalence rate of malnutrition, the Provincial Health Office according to Pallon is undertaking massive nutrition promotion program in coordination with the municipal and barangay officials, nutrition scholars and health workers to make communities and families understand their vital role in attaining a health community.
Among the approaches the PHO is doing to ensure good nutrition, are the enhancement of Infant and Young Child feeding that covers exclusive breastfeeding of infant 0-6 months and complementary feeding for 6 months onwards.
As to food security and sustainability, Pallon also stated that the concerned agencies are doing coordinated efforts on food production and farm productivity such as vegetable gardening and high value crop production.
The implementation of food for school program is also ongoing in coordination with the National Food Authority, Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Education.
PHO also call on local officials to make nutrition program a top priority in their agenda. It likewise enjoined top five municipalities in the province with high incidence of malnutrition to intensify its campaign by mobilizing support of various sectors. These are the towns of Tibiao, Caluya, Barbaza, Sibalom and Valderrama.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22407

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