Ilocos Norte launches search for nutrition scholars

LAOAG CITY, May 25  — The Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) here has launched the search for the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS).

Elma C. Irapta, of the PNC, said the towns which passed the corresponding requirements automatically qualify for the search and the town which wins will represent the province in the regional competition.

The towns which qualified for the search were Currimao, Sarrat, San Nicolas, Bangui and Bacarra.

“When the BNS does his work well, he may be chosen as an outstanding BNS. It can be in a municipality or city, province, region and even in the national level. He will receive cash incentives depending on his score on the National search,” Irapta said.

A function of the BNS is to monitor the weight and height of the children in the community and identify those malnourished who will be properly addressed by the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) trains BNS including midwives and Barangay Health Workers in infant and young child feeding.

The steering committee for the search which is composed of 18 government and non-government agencies went on a three-day assessment last April 24-26.

The PNC and the PHO have been strictly monitoring children’s health status by conducting an annual ‘Operation Timbang Plus’ and promptly addressing high nutrition prevalence through the assistance of BNS.

Current health-related projects of different agencies supported by the provincial government include the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) supplemental feeding for Day Care pupils; the Gulayan sa Paaralan project funded and implemented by Department of Agriculture for feeding school children; and the DOH’s Garantisadong Pambata, which involves the deworming and immunization of all preschool children now implemented by various health institutions in the province.

The PHO also distributes multivitamins for preschoolers. (Cherry Joy S. Discaya)