Davao City LGU ensures proper nutrition of mothers, children

The Davao City government on Wednesday kicked off the 46th Nutrition month in Barangay Magsaysay, Marilog District with this year’s theme “Batang Pinoy, SANA TALL… Iwas Stunting, SAMA ALL! Iwas ALL din sa Covid-19”.

In celebrating the event, the city government’s nutrition team distributed vitamins, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for severe acute malnourished children, Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) for moderately malnourished children, and Mother-Baby Handbooks to guide them through their pregnancy and raising their new-born child.

The city chose Barangay Magsaysay as the first host of the Nutrition Month celebration because it is one of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) and it is the sixth barangay in Marilog District with the most cases of malnutrition.

Elizabeth Banzon, the Head of the Nutrition Division of the City Health Office, said that as much as the City Health Office (CHO) wanted to visit the first five in the list with the most cases of malnutrition, it is also cautious of the movement restriction and risks due to the Covid-19.

The CHO’s City Nutrition Division spearheaded the event aimed at raising more awareness on the importance of having proper nutrition especially for children and pregnant women during this time of the coronavirus pandemic.

Banzon said that malnutrition results in stunting – one of the prevailing problems in the country.

“Gusto nato na kaning mga parents, mga mama diri nga buntis pa lang daan maasikaso na nila ang bata sa tiyan para inig gawas anang mga bataa matarong ang ilang pagdako ug matarong ang ilang pagtubo (We want parents and mothers, while they are pregnant, to look after their children’s nutrition so that they will grow properly when they are born),” Banzon said.

Banzon also reminded all Dabawenyos the importance of proper nutrition in children and adults during a public health emergency because of Covid-19.

“Atong nutrition alagaan nato kay mao lang gyud ni ang atong jewel sa kinabuhi – proper nutrition, kinahanglan na atong lig-onon para di ta maigo og maskin unsang sakit labi na as Covid (Let us take care of our nutrition since this is our only jewel in life – proper nutrition so that we won’t catch diseases especially the Covid-19),” she added.

The CHO offers Nutrition Counseling to pregnant and lactating women, diabetic and other sick individuals, Operation Timbang Plus which serves as case finding for malnourished children ages 0-59 months, Community Integrated Management for Acute Malnutrition (CIMAM) Program using the RUTF and RUSF, Micronutrient Supplementation, and Distribution of Deworming Tabs which can be availed by Dabawenyos through their district and barangay health offices. CIO