PIA Press Release
Monday, January 30, 2012

Health office bats for more fruits, vegetables to combat malnutrition

SAN JOSE, Antique, Jan 30 (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office is campaigning for production of more fruits and vegetables in response to the problem of malnutrition.

“Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables will be this year’s campaign statement to pursue nutrition programs,” said Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, Nida Pallon.

With this, she said that they would like to push for the production of vegetables and fruits even in own backyards so that we there can be enough supply even for household consumption.

Nutritious food need not be expensive, locally grown vegetables are even more nutritious, explained Pallon. Among the vitmain and mineral-packed vegetables that can be grown in the backyard are malunggay, saluyot, papaya.

Hand in hand with the Departments of Agriculture and Education, we strongly advocate for gulayan sa paaralan or gulayan sa bayan, so that we could have enough supply of fruits and vegetable even for local consumption, she said.

In addition, Pallon urged barangay officials to help campaign for household cleanliness sanitation and personal hygiene. The proper handwashing with soap, Pallon said can spare children from acquiring diseases detrimental to their health.

The role of parents in nutrition program is crucial. We ask them to be diligent in bringing their children to health center for regular check up, immunization, supplementation and other health packages like weighing and feeding program, said the source.

On the other hand, the PHO enjoined the support of parents for the on going feeding program in the town of Hamtic and Sibalom supported by the Provincial government using the PD Hearth approach and in Tobias Fornier supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the “Package for the Improvement of Nutrition of Young Children” or DOST PINOY. JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)