Nutrition, health practices improve in Baguio City

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – There is improvement in health and nutrition practices in the city as shown by recent developments, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said in his accomplishment report last Monday.

He was referring to the conferment to the city of the green banner award for nutrition program initiatives and the recognition of Lourdes Extension Barangay as having the best sanitation practices at the regional level.

The green banner award is given to an area with excellent nutrition practices after being evaluated by the regional team.

A place with three consecutive green banner awards would yield a Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) awardee, and this could qualify the city later in the hall of fame.

The city is also a recipient of Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar awards in the regional and national levels, as was reported.

The achievements are attributed to continuing trainings, the upgrading of Pinsao, Pacdal and Mines View health centers, and other centers as well.       

Safety practices included, the mayor acknowledged 90 barangays that trained on health emergency response and have organized their own teams, in preparation for any eventuality.

All 16 district health centers in the city have been accredited anew by Philhealh, the mayor also said.

Zero deaths on vaccine preventable disease outbreaks, an almost zero rate on Human Immuno-Virus/AIDS, a rabies-free city for the past eight years, and 94.85% fully-immunized 0-5 year old children make up positive outlook on healh and nutrition issues, Mayor Domogan reported.

Life-style diseases; namely, Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic respiratory disease, Diabetes, and Cancers, being the top causes of mortality in the city affecting all ages are being fought off by the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign headed by the Heath Services Office. A weekly two-hour rigid exercise “Hataw” program is also being done to help promote health, the mayor said.

In the nutrition report, it was learned that seeds and seedlings were distributed for supplementary food among households through school-age children. Vegetable gardens were also implemented in schools, backyards, and the community.

Iron, Vitamin A and Calcium supplements are also distributed among children, pregnant and lactating women. Iodized salt was monitored to be used in households, establishments and school canteens. Information and educational campaign were also done for nutrition matters by the HSO.

Coordinating entities in the city nutrition and health programs include the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR), National Root Crop Center, Benguet State University (BSU), Social Services Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SSD-CMO), Health Services Office (HSO), Under-Five Clinic of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (UFC-BGHMC), Department of Education (Dep-Ed), Baguio City Nutrition Council (BCNC), Save Our School Children Foundation (SOSFI), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), the barangays and other socio-civic groups in the city.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR), the Pantawid Pamilyang Pinoy Program (4Ps) of the Social Welfare and Development Office (OSWDO) and other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are also involved in the nutrition programs.