Secretary Duque Recognizes BNSS And Calls Them Brand Ambassadors For The First 1000
Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III recognizes the efforts and commitment of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) all over the country thru their Bohol counterpart and thanked them for their valuable service and dedication towards their work and the community. According to Duque “If not for you (BNSs), information and government services about nutrition can’t reach the public. The BNSs’ efforts are now being recognized and you have significant roles in implementing the Phil. Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022. It is a big challenge for all to implement the PPAN and reach the PPAN targets by year 2022. You are the brand ambassadors for the First 1000 days, the DOH Secretary said. He also shared that the national government thru the NNC matches the services of BNSs by increasing their travelling allowance and providing medical and survivorship assistance.Sec Duque was the keynote speaker during the 16th BNS Summit held on Tuesday, 10 April 2018 at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.
Close to 1,200 BNSs from different municipalities of Bohol gathered for their annual BNS Summit. Now on its 16th year, the summit went with the theme “BNS, ensures the implementation of PPAN 2017-2022”. The event equipped the attending BNS with knowledge to battle stunting, one of the major challenges the province is facing. They were given technical updates to hone their competences to implement the nutrition program in their respective barangays.
Topics tackled included: “BNS roles in Implementing PPAN 2017-2022” discussed by Nutrition Officer II Nasudi G. Soluta of NNC 7; “Growth Assessment” by Nutritionist-Dietitian IV Julieta G. Tutor of DOH 7; “Barangay Nutrition Planning” by Provincial Director Ma. Loisella E. Lucino of DILG Bohol; and “Drug Education and Counselling” by former SB Member and CDEC Administrator Dr. Cesar Tomas M. Lopez. In their discussions, the speakers briefed BNSs on their tasks to implement the PPAN especially in the First 1000 days of the child’s life; identify and refer children with acute malnutrition, who if not immediately treated may die; and monitor their growth towards recovery. They were also taught on some techniques to counsel mothers on infant and young child feeding. Aside from service delivery, BNSs were also oriented on how to advocate for increased investment for nutrition in their municipalities and barangays and were shared of government’s efforts on rehabilitating drug dependents.
Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto in his message challenged the BNSs to help achieve the province’ goal of zero-malnutrition. He laid down Bohol’s nutrition statistics and how BNSs can help reduce stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight and obesity. He emphasized the role of BNS in coordination with the BHWs in locating stunted, wasted and underweight children, pregnant women, families with 0-24 months and poor families; counsel pregnant and lactating women; and provide nutrition and related interventions. NPC Dr. Parolita A. Mission, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap and Bohol 1st District Representative Rene L. Relampagos also gave their respective messages.
The annual activity organized by Bohol Provincial BNS Association (BPBNSA) and the Bohol Provincial Nutrition Council (BPNC) aims to update the BNSs; promote solidarity among them and empower the BNSs to implement the PPAN 2017-2022 in their own barangays. //UHCI/NO II Ana Patricia M. Gonzales
