The National Nutrition Council (NCC) in Central Visayas on Friday reminded all local government units (LGUs) in the region of their role in strengthening programs that address malnutrition.

Parolita Mission, the program coordinator of NNC-7, said a multi-sectoral approach is key to battling malnutrition and that healthcare centers should not only be left to implement nutrition programs.

Mission cited several factors that led to malnutrition, and emphasized cooperation among sectors is needed to solve the problem.

She said many village folks still do not avail of the services offered in barangay halls and healthcare centers, simply because they do not know they exist.

“NNC-7 wants to educate them on the availability of the services to combat malnutrition. They could access them for free,” Mission said.

Some of the services offered in barangay and healthcare centers include free prenatal care, vitamins and supplements for maternal health.

She encouraged nursing women to avail of these prenatal care services throughout their pregnancy to lessen childbirth concerns.

Mission said the NNC-7 coordinated with the Department of Agriculture-7 in ensuring that household food is secure.

She added food availability in every household is also one of the factors for malnutrition, citing unreliable food security in the country.

Apart from DA, the NCC-7 is also coordinating with various agencies to boost the skills of poor residents and educate them about the other programs of the government that would help them fight malnutrition. (PNA)