The Manila Health Department (MDH) launched the city’s dietary supplementation program with a 120-day feeding program for pre-school children in Barangay 841, Pandacan on Monday.
The program aims to reduce the number of children who are malnourished and underweight, improving the general health conditions of the population in the city. The program’s launch was part of the celebration of the 48th National Nutrition Month.
“Ito pong Dietary Supplementation Program na ginagawa natin ay nilalayon na sa loob ng 120 days ang inyo pong mga anak ay magkaroon ng tamang timbang na karapat-dapat sa kanilang mga edad (Through this program, we are aiming to achieve the ideal weight that is right for your children’s age),” Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said.
Among children from six districts, 215 would be regularly provided with meals and vitamin supplements for 120 days.
In addition to this, Lacuna likewise ordered the Public Employment Service Office to provide livelihood programs for children’s parents after the 120-day feeding program. The effort aims to enable parents to continuously support their families, especially their children.
The program is in line with Lacuna’s emphasis on improving the healthcare system of the city, aiming to be the “best healthcare system” in the country by 2030.
“Gusto po namin pagdating ng 2030, ang City of Manila ay magkakaroon ng best health care system sa buong Pilipinas. ‘Yun po ang tatahakin natin (We want that the city of Manila would have the best health care system nationwide by 2030. That is what we’re aiming for),” Dr. Arnold Pangan, Manila Health Department Chief, said in an interview during the event.
Lacuna is also planning to build a “super health center” with complete laboratory equipment around the city. It seeks to benefit indigent residents who cannot afford quality healthcare services in private hospitals.
A doctor by profession, Lacuna was dubbed “Honey Bakuna” by her predecessor, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, for doing house-to-house vaccinations against Covid-19.
Photo credit: Facebook/ManilaPIO