Thursday, February 9, 2012

TABUK, Kalinga - Participants to the First Kalinga Nutrition Congress held last week resolved to bring down the province’s malnutrition rate, the second highest in the region.

Based on the 7th national nutrition survey conducted recently by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Kalinga posted a malnutrition rate of 29.7 percent, next to Abra with 40.1 percent.

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Although the Cordillera region’s malnutrition rate of 20 percent is lower than the national malnutrition rate of 27.9 percent, the province has to address the situation, as high rate of malnutrition is prevalent among children aging 0-5, who are considered the most vulnerable group.

Provincial Health Officer Romulo Gaerlan, who is also the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), identified the common nutritional problems in the province as mostly related to micro-nutrient deficiencies.

Children who are at the growing stage from 0-5 and 6-10 are commonly found to lack iron, iodine, protein and Vitamin A.

As mitigating effort, participants to the congress moved to enhance the province’s nutrition program this year and started to identify some areas to work on.

Among the issues to be addressed for a more aggressive nutrition drive include provision of adequate funds, logistics and benefits to barangay nutrition scholars (BNS).

Citing some problems encountered in the field, some BNS reported of already depreciating weighing scales while others have no units to use and just borrow during operation timbang.

The body resolved to bring the issues to the provincial nutrition committee for appropriate actions. (Larry Lopez)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on February 09, 2012.

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Kalinga nutrition congress moves to reduce malnutrition