Ate Vi vows to eliminate micronutrient deficiency

MANILA, Philippines - Millions of Filipino schoolchildren have been found to be micronutrient deficient. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) says that the prevalence has reached alarming levels among children in their crucial growing years.  It is also called hidden hunger as a person appearing to be normal in weight may actually be suffering from micronutrient deficiency.

Micronutrient deficiency is something that parents should look into, because it affects children’s learning ability, school attendance and, ultimately, their future. It has been found to be one of the reasons for lack of focus, absenteeism, and sickness among students, and its prevalence is cause for concern.   

According to the most recent FNRI survey, four out of five school-age children lack iron in their daily diet, which may cause them to appear pale, lack concentration, and tire easily. One out of five lacks zinc, putting them more at risk for diseases, diarrhea, and delayed growth. Seven out of 10 lack vitamin C, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections. The study cites these as the top three micronutrients that children fail to get from the food they eat. Absence of these micronutrients may lead to malnutrition.

Malnutrition is one of the major reasons for dropouts among schoolchildren. In 2013, the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed that 562,262 pupils enrolled in elementary levels are considered “severely wasted.”

This has led Ate Vi to implement the H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation program in Batangas, wherein health, education, agriculture, roads, tourism, and security are prioritized. She says that of the six areas, health is given the bulk of the budget. “Ito ang pinakamalaki — 32 percent of the total provincial budget goes to health, at dito kasama lahat, from building hospitals, down to our information campaigns on fighting micronutrient deficiency.” 

Their approach to child health is holistic, she explains. “When we find out that there are cases of mild to severe malnutrition in one area, we don’t just go there and give out sandwiches. We have to find out why they are malnourished —Healthy ba ang nanay? Baka may TB siya. Ano ba ang trabaho kaya hindi makabili ng right food for the children? Kung wala, sinasali namin sa livelihood program like agriculture, where they are given seeds and fertilizer or they are given chickens to raise. We also look into their sanitation conditions — if they don’t have toilets, we build it for them. Hindi naman pwede na malinis ka nga pero marumi naman ang kapaligiran mo.”

They also have a targeted micronutrient programs for students starting in day care up to school age, in which they are dewormed, then given supplements good for six months to help fight MND. “We give them the supplements for the whole duration in one go,” Gov. Vi says. “Ayoko ng may babalikan pa sila, because it affects compliance, kaya lahat, sa umpisa pa lang, kumpleto na ang binibigay namin.”

The program focuses on an information drive among the mothers. “Sa nanay nakasalalay ang lahat,” she adds. “In the end, whatever we are doing in government will not be enough, kung hindi naman maaalagaan sa bahay ang bata. It is then a matter of how we explain it to the mothers; that for them to believe that if you want to have a good future for the children, you have to make sure that they have a strong immune system. That is why you have to make sure that the child is not micronutrient deficient. 

“Once makapa-identify ng malnourished children, mothers muna ang tinuturuan namin. We have seminars, where we explain the importance of micronutrients, and the importance of supplementing a diet lacking in these nutrients, with fortified food and beverages gaya ng gatas. Mayroon din kaming libro na nakasulat sa Tagalog where we have sections tungkol sa preparation ng pagkain at kung ano ang gulay na pwede pagsamahin.  Nakapagpa-graduate na kami ng almost 2,000 mothers.”

Because of these efforts, Batangas has been cited by the Department of Health with a Green Banner Award, as having the lowest malnutrition rate in the country. “The target is 11.5 percent, and we are at 3.65 percent,” Gov. Vi enthuses. “And the mothers are happy. They really see the effect it has on their children. Mas masigla ang bata, when they perform, very bright!”

Gov. Vi adds that she has learned so much about micronutrient deficiency and its effects on children’s health through her research and partnership with Nestlé and Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink. “Noong una, ang alam lang natin ay mabuti ang gatas sa katawan,” she says. “Now, with advanced technology, we are able to find out how much of each nutrient is needed, and how much of it is in the milk that the children should drink instead of the less-healthier alternatives that are easily available. As a mother, it is important that you don’t stop learning. That is why I encourage mothers to know more about micronutrient deficiency and food fortification as a way to help address it.”

Wilfredo de Ocampo, Bear Brand marketing team lead,  shares, “We at Nestlé affirm our continuing commitment to promote the value of fortified food products and support FNRI- DOST’s efforts to inform the whole nation about the health status of Filipinos.”

He adds, “Programs like this are extensions of our thrust to provide Filipino families with high quality, affordable, nutritious, and delicious food and beverages.  A fortified food product like Bear Brand Powdered Milk has iron, zinc, and vitamin C, to help ensure children’s proper growth and development.” 

In conclusion, Gov. Vi says, “Through this campaign on micronutrient deficiency, we learn about the right nutrition that should be given to our children, at the age where they are developing in their brains and bodies. Lahat ng ito ay kailangan, Nanay.  Ang makikinabang dito ay ang ating mga anak, dahil kapag malulusog ang mga anak, malusog ang komunidad, at magkakaroon tayo ng malusog at matibay na bansa.”