By Nimfa Estrellado A mother and her child participate in OPT Plus, a program that helps ensure young children receive the nutrition they n...
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| A mother and her child participate in OPT Plus, a program that helps ensure young children receive the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development. (Quezon Provincial Health Office) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - At the start of the new year, young children are the priority of the nationwide "Operation Timbang Plus" (OPT Plus) initiative. Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) across Quezon Province are actively participating in this effort to ensure the health and well-being of the province's youngest residents.
This month, these dedicated volunteers are going door-to-door to measure the height and weight of children aged 0-59 months. This initiative aims to assess the nutritional status of young children and address malnutrition in the province. OPT Plus also incorporates the administration of deworming tablets and Vitamin A supplements to participating children.
According to Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Joan Maricel Decena, OPT Plus is crucial in the fight against malnutrition. It allows health workers to identify children at risk and provide them with the necessary support to grow and develop healthily.
The OPT Plus program plays a vital role in identifying children who are underweight or stunted, allowing for early intervention and support. The program helps ensure the healthy growth and development of young children by monitoring their nutritional well-being.
The data gathered by BNS volunteers in Quezon Province will be used to develop targeted interventions to combat malnutrition within the community. This information will help identify areas with high prevalence of malnutrition and guide the implementation of feeding programs, nutrition education campaigns, and other initiatives to improve child health.
"We are committed to providing our children with the best possible start in life," Decena stated. "OPT Plus is an essential tool in achieving this goal. Addressing malnutrition in the early years is critical, as it can have long-term impacts on a child's physical and cognitive development."
Decena urged parents and guardians to participate: "We urge all parents and guardians to cooperate with our BNS volunteers and have their children participate in OPT Plus. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing the long-term consequences of malnutrition."
The OPT Plus program is conducted every January to March to allow for early detection of nutritional deficiencies and timely intervention. This strategic timing allows health workers to identify children at risk and provide necessary support.
Dedicated BNS and barangay health workers who volunteer their time to visit households and collect data on children's height and weight primarily carry out the program. Parents are encouraged to welcome the BNS volunteers and have their children weighed and measured.
The OPT Plus program is a critical component of the Philippines' efforts to address malnutrition. Quezon Province is taking a proactive step towards ensuring the health and well-being of its youngest residents by actively participating in this initiative.
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