Makati’s malnutrition rate on the decline

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay reported a continuous decline in the city’s malnutrition rate.

Binay said the city’s malnutrition prevalence rate has gone down from a high of 12.02 percent in 1988 to 0.46 percent last year.

Based on a report of the Makati Health Department (MHD), out of 77,024 children weighed in its Operation Timbang (OPT) during the first quarter of 2001, only eight were found to be severely underweight while 345 were moderately underweight.

By the end of 2001, the number of children moderately underweight decreased to 78 while there were no severely underweight .

Dr. Lourdes Salud, chief of MHD, said the city government’s "holistic approach" to health care is responsible for the continuous lowering of the malnutrition rate in the city.

Salud pointed out that the city’s 30 health centers located in the different barangays regularly conduct weighing, deworming and promotion of dental health, nutrition, breast feeding and proper hygiene.

Binay pointed out that Makati City has earned numerous awards for its nutrition programs such as the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest recognition given by National Nutrition Council.

It also won the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award and the most outstanding implementor of the integrated health and nutrition program in National Capital Region (NCR). – Marvin Sy