BAGUIO CITY- The institutionalization of several policies would push forward vital health and nutrition programs in the city, it was known.
Awaited are the final approval of the comprehensive smoke-free ordinance, action for the total ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices ordinance, a policy for the regulation of softdrinks and high energy drinks in school canteens, and a legal order mandating fast food and canteens to offer 50% vegetables and with less fried food or those cooked in saturated fats.
The Dengue ordinance, as with the health-related environment code was approved in 2016, it was reported.
To entice children to be more active, barangays are recommended to allocate space for eco-trails, children parks and bike lanes. More pedestrianization could be done in available areas for citizens to exercise more through walking, it was gleaned from a report of Health Services Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo.
More physicians, midwives and sanitary inspectors are also needed to implement programs in the city’s 16 health centers, 15 satellite clinics and a birthing clinic in Atok trail.
For barangay-based action, an SP resolution was approved earlier for barangays to formulate their respective health plans. For now, there is a need to strengthen public-private partnership for health programs, as with an adolescent friendly health center.
Said program would help achieve the Health Services Office’s mission of providing quality primary health care to respond to evolving challenges, and urbanization.
The HSO programs are supported by the local government and government agencies with 138 nutrition scholars, 119 nutrition action officers and 13 fulltime nutrition workers for the 128 barangays.
The health workers are instrumental in programs and projects for health such as the little angel, kitchen garden, search for best senior citizen garden, iodized salt testing, regular exercise programs, nutrition summit and refresher courses. They also work for immunization, maternal and infant health, children and adolescent health, and information/education campaign for various health and nutrition programs. ** juliegfianza
