Butuan City- In the scheduled program implementation review of the nutrition networks in Caraga conducted on 27-28 December 2021 via blended approach, the group revisited the 2020 and 2021 targets based on the prevalence of malnutrition per province and city.

NNC Caraga OIC Dr. Nino Archie Labordo shared that in order to capture the targets of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, the nutrition networks at the regional level shall track its committed targets in the Caraga Regional Development Plan and the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN).

The 2021 Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) results revealed of a decrease malnutrition prevalence in all forms of malnutrition covering the 0-59 children.

Stunting or the child has a low height for their age showed a downtrend of 3% from 11.5% in 2019 to 6.53% in 2021. Likewise, the wasting prevalence reduced from 3.9% in 2019 to 2.5% in 2021.

The reduction of the malnutrition prevalence can be attributed to many factors including the good effect of pandemic where most households were able to establish backyard gardens, a short path for the family’s food for the table.

However, the group identified the Provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands to be provided priority especially that these provinces has still have high prevalence of malnutrition and is battling the disaster impact brough by typhoon Odette.

Finally, in order to sustain the reduction of malnutrition, the group recommended for the First 1,000 days package to be the main intervention with budget allocation for implementation in 2022 and beyond. #NASLabordo