PDOHO NINAPALO, Leyte – The National Nutrition Council in Region 8 organized and conducted a pre-deployment orientation for rapid nutrition initial needs assessment and response for the province of Southern Leyte on December 20, 2021.

Organized three teams for deployment. Team A headed by NOII Ullasini P. Alferez will go to the municipalities of Silago, Hinundayan, Hinunangan, San Juan, Anahawan, and St. Bernard, while team B was composed of the Provincial Nutrition Focal Points (PNFPs) and was assigned to the municipalities of Sogod, Bontoc, Tomas Opus, Malitbog, Padre Burgos and Macrohon and Team C headed by the RNPC will heed to South Leyte Provincial Health Services Office (PHSO) and Maasin City.

December 21-22 was the scheduled nutrition assessment. Team A and B were with the DOH CHD 8 teams.

Team C headed by Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. registered first at the Operation Center. Then had a courtesy call to Southern Leyte PDOHO OIC Dr. Letecia O. Tan and inquire on the current status of the province.

The team had a brief meeting with the Provincial Nutrition Cluster and PHO II Dr. Matibag gave an initial report to the team. Upon inventory, there are no available vitamin A (VAC) for both routine and emergency needs, iron-folic acid (IFA) for pregnant mothers and iron for children, micronutrient powder (MNP), RUSF and RUTF. Vaccines for both routine and COVID 19 are intact since the PHSO had a standby generator.

Moreover, the team handed one (1) box alcohol, IEC materials such as breastfeeding check and no milk donation tarpaulins, IYCF counseling cards, Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) nutri-comics and pediatric mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tapes.

NPC Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr emphasize the “No Milk Donation” policy during emergency and disaster.

Furthermore, most light materials houses, major infrastructures such as the city terminal and gymnasium were flashed. Electric post and several utility wirings were also off hence there is no electricity, however, there is an erratic internet connection.

Earlier reports also noted the houses of the nearby island municipality of Limasawa Island were totally flashed out with one casualty. There were also reports that casualty was noted in the pacific areas due to drowning while cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and measles cases were noted.

Meanwhile, RNPC Dotollo already informed DOH HEMB and UNICEF through Ms. Janice Feleciano and Nutrition Officer Pete John Biscarra respectively the above-needed nutrition commodities. #NPC-CPD