LGUs asked to activate local nutrition clusters

CEBU, Philippines — The National Nutrition Council in Central Visayas is urging all local government units in the region to activate their local nutrition clusters to provide emergency service packages to susceptible individuals amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Dr. Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of NNC-7, fears for the worst effect of the enhanced community quarantine to the government’s nutrition program as resources on healthy food run low and are less accessible than usual.

“We don’t want to make the vulnerable groups even more vulnerable by adding in the factor of malnutrition” said Mission.

Mission is worried of the possibilities of acute food and nutrition insecurity in the coming weeks. As the NNC-7’s cluster head, she issued advisories to call upon all the LGUs in the region to activate their local nutrition clusters.

 The advisories outlined the reminders for local government units to prevent deterioration of nutrition status of children below five years of age, pregnant, and lactating women and other at-risk individuals.

The local nutrition clusters are mandated do the following: ensure that households are still able to eat healthy by including fresh produce in food packs; be vigilant in monitoring and implementing EO 51 or the milk code which does not allow the donation of breast milk substitute of any kind; continued services for Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition and the provision of micronutrient supplementation; coordination with the agriculture sector to not only provide healthy food to the community but give farmers and fisherfolks with income during the quarantine period.

Mission stressed that malnutrition can cause higher susceptibility to disease and infection, including COVID-19.

Mission also reminded everyone to practice good hygiene, cough etiquette, social distancing and eat right by following the Pinggang Pinoy,  which prescribes a model of food group proportions in order for a person to receive sufficient  daily nourishment.

NNC-7 underscores the importance of proper nutrition and reminds the public to eat variety of foods-- fruits and vegetables everyday especially Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E-rich foods to boost immune system.

It is also important to have regular exercise, adequate sleep, manage stress and stop smoking as it damages the lungs.  FPL (FREEMAN)