A2Z

I am now posting the lectures from the Albay Health Summit where I have attended and Board Member Borja (Uncle Nonon).

A2Z
The Micronutrient Project

Background

1. Vitamin A deficiency and anemia are public health problems.
- the prevalence of VAD and anemia have been increasing in the past decade - the country’s attainment of the MDGs is seriously compromised unless the MN situation is improved

2. Pneumonia, diarrhea and measles are leading causes of child deaths. These childhood illnesses are preventable through MN.

3. The multiple causes of VAD and anemia include inadequate intake of bioavailable vit A and iron, frequent and persistent infections, poor sanitation and hygiene and poor women’s health.

4. Government addresses VAD through vit A supplementation for children 6–59 mo. and high-risk population groups.
- VAS coverage has been declining, while not all LGUs procure VACs for high-risk groups

5. There is no comprehensive National Anemia Reduction Plan, thus no package that addresses the multiple causes of the problem.

6. Deworming which addresses anemia was a component of Garantisadong Pambata in 2006 and 2007 but not in earlier years.

7. While DOH adopted iron supplementation in the control of anemia(DO#181,s2000), provision of iron supplements(along with other health services), is the LGU responsibility.

8. Zinc as an adjunct therapy for diarrhea is not yet in place in the public sector.
- Guidelines for the use of zinc with the low osmolar Oral Rehydration Solution(ORS) have been incorporated in the IMCI algorithm but not all of the health staff has received training/updates

9. While there is a Food Fortification Law (The Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 or Republic Act 8976), it has not been fully implemented.
- the quality and coverage of wheat flour and oil fortification are still inadequate
- rice and sugar fortification have been beset with major difficulties
- the Sangkap Pinoy Seal (SPS) Program for processed foods is mainly increasing Vitamin A intake

Overall Approach
Technical Assistance at the National Level

Support policy and program development
Policy review/revision (Micronutrient Supplementation, Food Fortification),
Formulation of National Strategic Plans (Anemia Reduction, Food Fortification) and Policies (use of zinc for diarrhea treatment),
Analysis of national nutrition data for policy
Development, of monitoring and quality control systems for the Food Fortification program)
Strengthening LGU capability to assess, plan, implement and monitor micronutrient programs
Development of management and monitoring tools
Conduct of LGU advocacy fora for support to micronutrient interventions
Communication micro-planning on micronutrient program



A2Z Secondary Objectives
• Increase in VAS coverage among high-risk (severe pneumonia, persistent diarrhea, measles and undernutrition) children
• Increase VAS among post partum women, within one month after delivery
• Increase supplementation coverage for complete iron dosage(1tablet/day for 6 mo or 180 days) among pregnant women
• Increase iron supplementation coverage among children, 6-59 months
• Increase deworming coverage among children, 12-59 months

A2Z Technical Assistance to 29 USG Assisted Areas
Health Gov: 23 Provinces

LUZON
- Albay
- Bulacan
- Cagayan
- Isabela
- Nueva Ecija
- Pangasinan
- Tarlac

VISAYAS
- Aklan
- Bohol
- Capiz
- Negros Occidental
- Oriental Negros

MINDANAO
- Agusan del Norte
- Bukidnon
- Compostela Valley
- Davao del Sur
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Sarangani
- South Cotabato
- Zamboanga del Norte
- Zamboanga del Sur
- Zamboanga Sibugay

SHIELD - 6 Provinces

ARMM
- Basilan
- Lanao del Sur
- Maguindanao
- Sharif Kabunsuan
- Sulu
- Tawi-tawi