The Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) recently reported that the prevalence rate of underweight pre-schoolers dipped further for the year 2010 at 4.3%.
Rustica Butiu, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) for Pampanga, said that the comparison with the two previous years showed prevalence rates of 5.08% in 2008 and 4.63% in 2009.
“While we need to do a lot more to further reduce the figure, what we have accomplished so far has been due to the support of the provincial government, the other local government units (LGUs) and the different government agencies and non-government organizations concerned with health and nutrition,” Butiu explained.
Governor Lilia G. Pineda, herself the chairperson of the PNC and vice chair Board Member Monina “Monz” Laus, also chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Health, are both known advocates of good health and nutrition and according to Butiu, have been principal supporters of good nutrition programs in the province.
Butiu added that the most common form of malnutrition in the province is protein energy malnutrition. She said that of the total pre-school population of 239,390 weighed in the first quarter of 2010 under Operation Timbang, 9,880 or 4.3% were below normal weight; 4,264 or 1.78% were above normal; and 225,246 or 94.09% were of normal weight.
The PNC report also showed that of the total 219,222 school children weighed during school year 2009-2010, 39,433 or 17.99% were below normal weight, 6,599 or 3.01% were above normal weight. A big majority numbering 173,195 or 79% were of normal weight, which is a good thing from a nutritionist’s point of view.
According to Butiu, the PNC also gave out vita-sangkap supplementation to a total of 5,244 beneficiaries who were children aged six to 24 months. She disclosed that this strategy has been effectively addressing micronutrient malnutrition among children in this age bracket.
“The beneficiaries came from the municipalities of Candaba, 2,607 children; Guagua, 1,000; Masantol, 840; and San Simon, 797.”
The PNC was also involved in the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) for the year 2009 in which 20 towns of Pampanga were evaluated.
Overall, Butiu assessed the implementation of nutrition-related programs in the province as effective proof of which is the award the province got as first runner up in last year’s regional nutrition awarding ceremony among Central Luzon provinces implementing nutrition action plans.
Butiu who as PNAO is also in charge of the Pampanga Clinic and Malward Center reported on the services provided by the center during the period July 2010 to May 2011. It provided free medical consultation, treatment, evaluation and laboratory services for further management to the public and to government employees.
During medical missions, the center staff provided consultation services to 4,520 beneficiaries; dental services to 548; circumcision, 115; ECG, 136.
As to in-center medical consultation and treatment, the accomplishments are 1,226 beneficiaries on pediatric services; 3,083, medical; 1,191, surgery; 3,312, vital signs; 73, ECG; and 335 inmates from the provincial jail.
Their laboratory services included 1,205 urinalysis; 273 fecalysis; four bile tests; four pregnancy tests; 187 CBC; 114 platelet count; 20 blood typing; 276 FBS; 242 cholesterol; 198 triglycerides; 193 HDL; 193 LDL; 193 BUN; 213 blood uric acid; 251 creatinine; and 251 routine blood sugar.
With the governor urging us to do more and better work, and with the support of all stakeholders, we are optimistic that we shall sustain this record, if not surpass it, in the years to come, Butiu concluded. (Pampanga PIO)
