ANTIQUE – Malnutrition, particularly stunting, among children has long been a problem in this province, according to Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
“When I took over as governor hindi lang sa stunted ha, malnutrition gid… ang Antique number one gid sa Western Visayas,” Cadiao told Panay News.
Records of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 6 showed that Antique had the highest prevalence of stunting among zero to 59 month olds or preschoolers in Region 6 in 2020. The province recorded 10.76 prevalence rate.
Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards median.
Antique was followed by Iloilo province with 8.96 percent, Aklan – 8.64 percent, Negros Occidental – 7.73 percent, Guimaras – 6.85 percent, and Capiz – 5.38 percent.
Cadiao said the provincial government has allocated fund for nutrition boosting, including the nutrition council and nutrition desk.
Cadiao also revealed that before the coronavirus pandemic, the provincial government along with the Department of Health and Department of Education (DepEd) conducted feeding programs to some 150 schools.
A “Gulayan sa mga Paaralan” project has also been launched.
However, because of the pandemic, these activities have been derailed, Cadiao added.
The governor will also coordinate with the DepEd-Antique on how to possibly update the health and nutrition of children amid the current distance learning.
‘POVERTY ONE REASON’
Meanwhile, Cadiao pointed out that though the provincial government was feeding the children, “pag-abot sa balay nila wala man sila pagkaon didto.”
“Dapat continuous ang pag-aruga mula pa lang sa nanay na nagbubuntis,” she added.
Cadiao cannot shrug off poverty being experienced by mothers. They may lack access to health services and consultation.
“We have to consider nga ang mga nanay sobrang puraot kag imol wala sila i-gasto kay wala kwarta. So gusto nila maghilot na lang instead of going to the hospital,” said Cadiao.
The governor said the provincial government is widening their information dissemination especially the importance of prenatal checkup for pregnant mothers.
Cadiao also advised mothers to take good care of their health by eating nutritious food, taking iron folic acid supplementation, and exclusive breastfeeding for six months and age-appropriate complimentary feeding with continued breastfeeding after.
July is Nutrition Month. This year’s celebration theme is “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1,000 days tutukan!”/PN
