media forum on the Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program

The National Nutrition Council conducted a media forum on the Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program anchored with a theme that says, “Mission: Good Nutrition-drive Out Hunger”.

The forum serves as a venue to share and discuss the plans and accomplishments of the Arroyo government in its drive to address hunger and malnutrition.

The media forum is consistent with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Pagkain sa Bawat Mesa (Food in Every Table) and Alagaan ang Kalusugan (Health Care) Campaigns.

The forum also contributes to the achievement of the goals of the Department of Health’s “Ok DOH K, Ok na Kalusugan, Ok sa Bayan.”

Representing National Nutrition Council Chair and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is National Nutrition Council Executive Director Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores who gave an update on the AHMP’s accomplishments and how the strategy is continuing to address hunger in the country.

ASEC Flores likewise stressed the importance of having a good nutrition as the best defense against influenza A(H1N1) and other diseases.

“It is never too late to start eating healthy and practicing a healthy lifestyle. Good nutrition at whatever stage in life is essential to good health and quality living,” emphasized ASEC Flores.

ASEC Flores also urged advised mothers to adopt breastfeeding as human milk has no substitute and is incomparable to any formula milk preparations. To ensure 100% compliance, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars are reminded to educate mothers of the importance of breast feeding to curb malnutrition.

The second quarter of 2009 results from Social Weather Stations revealed that the proportion of families who experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past 3-months increased to 20.3% or an estimated 3.7 million families from the previous 15.5% or 2.9 million families.

The increase was due to the reported increase in moderate hunger from 11.1% to 16% while severe hunger remained stable.

SWS survey also showed that in Mindanao the hunger soared 18 points from only 11.7% in February to 30% in June 2009.

Moderate hunger refers to hunger experienced only once or a few times in the last 3 months while severe hunger refers to hunger experienced often or always in the last 3 months.