WELLNESS & HEALTH

SNHS consolidates health programs to eliminate malnutrition

After a decline in the malnourishment rates of the students based on the comparison of the pre-pandemic school year 2019-2020 and the current face-to-face classes, Sawata National High School's Feeding Coordinator initiates an objective to provide enhanced nutritional programs in order to completely eliminate the cases of the reduced numbers of nutritionally deficient students

According to Mrs Editha R Demerin, Health Coordinator of Sawata National High School they observed a reduced number of malnourished students from the current school year compared to the pre-pandemic records, based on the yearly assessments conducted through measuring their BMIs to determine those who need nutritional provisions This prompted them the urgency to push more efforts into the feeding programs to efficiently continue the decreased rate of malnourishment cases

We regularly conduct yearly assessments through determining the BMI's to identify those who are nutritionally deficient Herewith we observed a significant difference regarding the numbers of malnourished students We only have 25 cases from the students at the current school year Compared to this we used to have 63 malnourished from the prepandemic year The feeding program was halted due to the lockdowns, yet the malnourishment cases decreased, nonetheless Hence, we will use this opportunity to double our efforts invested for the nutritional programs, in order to further lessen this issue, said Demerin

Broad vaccination rollouts!

San Isidro widens measures to be a COVID-19 free municipality

by:NashaAshleyLoyola

Despite the progressive vaccination rollouts granted by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) that served as an outlet throughout the town of San Isidro, the Municipal Health Workers, widened the reach of vaccine provisions He continued their dissemination towards remote areas of the Municipality to fulfill the objective of making San Isidro a COVID-free municipality before the year 2024

Based on the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of San Isidro, as of 2023, among the 28,880 San Isidro residents, 23,883 (82 7%) of the total population who already acquired the first dose of their vaccine initiated last September 2021 In addition, an unlimited number of 20,735 (71 8%) are vaccinated, with the second dose designated from their first one, which had an initial rollout last October 2021

According to Jireh Joy Astronomo, a Medical Doctor from the RHU of San Isidro, despite the successful approach of dispersing the COVID-19 vaccines throughout the 13 barangays of the municipality by their designated outlets, the total number of individuals benefiting from the program remained incomplete in some barrios Astronomo pointed out that the absence of people in such programs was mainly due to their far-flung locations from their barangays' outlets, making it difficult for them to participate in any rollouts

"Distributing the COVID-19 vaccines throughout the 13 barangays of San Isidro through their health centers and gymnasiums was the ideal way to reach everyone's demand to be vaccinated efficiently everyone's demand to be vaccinated However, despite the successful dispersal, the number of individuals to benefit from the vaccination program remained incomplete for each program initiated by the barrio The absence of people was mainly caused by far-fetched locations away from their barangays' outlet, which made it difficult for them to be present at any rollouts," said Astronomo

In addition, Astronomo highlighted the difficulties citizens face living in remote areas with broken bridges dangerous roads, and rugged terrains to reach their designated barangay service outlets She emphasized that the lack of transportation and the hazardous environment posed a significant problem to those living in such perimeters Addressing this issue, the government initiated transits toward these locations with the support of the Local Government Unit (LGU), ensuring efficient vaccine distribution

"We have citizens who live across broken bridges, drive through treacherously natured roads, and climb hills to proceed to their designated barangay service outlets Considering the lack of access to transportation and the dangerous environment, this served as a problem for those living in such perimeters Herewith, we fulfilled the efficient distribution of vaccines against such concerns by initiating transits towards their locations with the help of the Local Government Unit (LGU) to support our ride and necessities to reach those in need," said Astronomo

Moreover Astronomo emphasized the measures being implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 in a recent statement The government has designated facilities and trained personnel to immediately isolate and quarantine those who test positive for the virus The surveillance system is still actively monitoring all potential cases, and necessary precautions are being taken to protect the public The priority remains to prevent further transmission, and the situation's progress is being closely monitored

Wehaveimplementedmeasurestoisolate andquarantinethosewhotestpositiveto preventthevirusfromspreadingfurther.Our surveillancesystemisstillactiveand monitoringallpotentialcases;wetakeall necessaryprecautionstoprotectthepublic Ourpriorityistoensurethatthosewhotest positiveareisolatedandquarantined immediatelytopreventfurthertransmission Wehavedesignatedfacilitiesandtrained personneltohandlethesituationandclosely monitortheirprogress.

-Astronomo

Astronomo reported a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in San Isidro This has allowed businesses to operate without constraints and people to socialize and attend events safely Schools have reopened, and students can attend classes in-person without fear of transmission The vaccine campaign has significantly contributed to the return to normalcy in San Isidro

"We have seen a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, a great relief Businesses have been able to operate without the virus's constraints, and people can socialize and attend events without fear of transmission Schools have reopened and students can attend classes in person safely We are starting to see life return to normal, thanks to the vaccine campaign," ended Astronomo

The available COVID-19 vaccines disseminated throughout the Municipality of San Isidro include Sinovac Biotech, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna

In addition, Demerin emphasized the plans made by the program under the objective to invest more on the nutritional provisions needed to efficiently continue the reduction of the malnourishment rate, through the initiative of adding further nutritional value on the food they serve and giving essential vitamins on their feeding programs while ensuring the transparency and success of its service by leave none unattended

The feeding program is an avenue to aid those who are considered as malnourished We invested more on its service to be able to provide the necessities needed not only to balance the rate of the issue, but to further eliminate its presence We enhanced the nutritional aspects given through a general nutrition program and ensured the success of its dissemination throughout the students Provisions include vitamin C's, iron supplements, deworming tablets, and feeding programs with access to nutritionally-packed food, given on a daily scheduled basis, -Demerin

Moreover, Demerin featured how health plays a significant role towards students She highlighted how nutrient deficiencies can be a problem for the student's academic performance given that health is intertwined with an individual's composure; emphasizing the need to aid them at school She pointed out how teachers can let this happen, implying that their service is not only limited to teaching

Malnourishment hinders the students from performing well in school Considering the lessened cases of such issues in our campus it reflects the uprising of performance upholded by the students This sets an example to which health is a significant factor for them to do well in life As educators, it is our responsibility to help students attain that achievement The decreased rate of malnutrition is an opportunity for us to let them enjoy learning with a healthy being Providing them the sufficient nutrition to do so is also a part of our job " said Demerin

Furthermore, Demerin stressed the importance of students to take care of their own health despite the school's efforts to aid their malnourished state She emphasized how responsibility is essential to further de-escalate the problems made by nutritional deficiency among the youth Regardless of providing essentials to aid malnutrition, all efforts will be considered as futile if the assisted students would still resort to a lifestyle that is not conducive to health

Regardless of the assistance we propose to help those who are nutritionally deficient, it is not guaranteed to be a complete solution We only serve to lessen, not to cure, students themselves are still in charge of their own health Our efforts will be for nothing if they would still choose to resort to an unhealthy lifestyle despite engaging in nutritional programs Our youth has to be responsible for their own health to cooperate with our objective, by avoiding an unhealthy lifestyle and maintaining a good health record outside of our program " ended Demerin