DoH-MIMAROPA launches ‘Oplan: Kain Sigla’ in Marinduque

Written by Lee Ann Ducusin

THE Department of Health – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) on Monday launched “Oplan: Kain Sigla” Nourishment Program for preschool children at the Torrijos Covered Court in Marinduque.

DoH-MIMAROPA regional director  Dr. Eduardo Janairo said the project, which aims to improve the nutritional status of underweight pre-school children in Marinduque, was launched in coordination with the local government of the province.

   
“Our objective is to provide proper complementary feeding to pre-school children aged 6-71 months for 90 days and improve their nutritional status from underweight or severely underweight to normal and stunted and sustain this normal nutritional status,” Janairo said.
   
The 8th National Nutrition Survey disclosed that preschoolers in  MIMAROPA recorded the highest underweight prevalence in the country in 2013 (27.9%) and the 2nd highest wasting prevalence among the Luzon group of islands (9.8% or 1 out of 10 preschoolers).
   
The National Nutrition Council’s 2014 “Operation Timbang” recorded 9.68% or 10 out of 100 preschoolers were underweight for their age.
   
Before the start of program, the children’s weight and height will be recorded and they will also be dewormed to ensure that all the nutrients will be taken by their body. They will be given one full meal a day for five days (Monday to Friday) for three months, which includes all the minerals and substances the body needs.
   
Janairo explained that the “Oplan: Kain Sigla” is an “Eat to Nourish Approach” of the DoH-MIMAROPA that is focused on direct feeding of identified undernourished children and conducting health and nutrition classes for their parents and caregivers, green gardening and economical nutritious cooking.

The feeding program will serve as a venue for both the provision of nutrients for children and the delivery of knowledge on health and nutrition to their mothers.

There were 250 children selected by the Provincial Health Office and validated by the Regional Office. The municipality of Torrijos in Marinduque was one of the identified areas, where high prevalence of undernutrition was recorded based on the 2015 OPT plus or “Operation Timbang” plus Health.
   
Other municipalities were Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro; Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro; San Andres in Romblon; and Sofronio Espanola in Palawan.
   
The nourishment program will be closely monitored by the local health officials and will be evaluated after the three-month period.
   
Janairo added that the nourishment program is supportive of Health Secretary Janet Garin’s “High Impact Five Program,” as it targets pre-school children thereby strengthening and improving their nutritional status.