April 15, 2016, Tandag City -- DOH and NNC Caraga went to Tandag City for the Launching of the Supplementary feeding of DOH, “Unang Hungit.” The team was led by Director Jose R. Llacuna Jr, the DOH Regional Director and OIC-Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Caraga.

It has been 7 months since the Indigenous People (IP) from the municipalities of San Miguel, Marihatag, San Agustin, Tago and Lianga evacuated their areas due to armed conflict between the military and NPAs. The indigenous people seek shelter in the Oval-Surigao del Sur Sports Complex in Tandag City. With months of monitoring of the health and nutritional status of evacuees, there is an increasing number of malnourished among the vulnerable groups.

Through the collaborative effort of DOH and NNC Caraga, Surigao del Sur Provincial Nutrition Office, Provincial Health Office, IP representatives,  Municipal Nutrition Action Officers of the affected areas and members of Surigao del Sur Nutrition Cluster, a supplementary feeding of 120 days was planned for the improvement of the nutritional status of pregnant women, lactating women, underweight and severely underweight children.

Consultation for the implementation of the feeding, formulation of guidelines and menus were made by the Nutrition Cluster of Surigao del Sur with the assisted from DOH and NNC Caraga. The Nutrition Cluster also consulted the IP leaders and their representatives in the selection of the menus. Menus are not just healthy foods but also culturally sensitive to the IPs. The supplementary feeding of the IPs was also funded by DOH Caraga.

The Ceremonial “Unang Hungit” of the malnourished children as the start of the 120-days supplementary feeding was graced by Director Llacuna together with ARD Cesar Cassion, Dr. Glenn Tiangha, PHO Eric Montesclaros and PNAO Ermelinda Ascarez.

DOH Caraga Expanded Program on Immunization Coordinators also had an Immunization Week Celebration   in Tandag City during the “Unang Hungit” ceremony.