Health advocates across public and private sectors are pushing for improved implementation of the government’s Nutrition Care Process .
The forum, titled “Strengthening Nutrition Integration in the Health System: Evaluating the Nutrition Care Process in the Philippines,” gathered representatives from the Department of Health, the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Professional Regulation Commission, as well as professionals from both public and private hospitals. Patients and advocates against malnutrition also participated in the event.
In 2019, the Department of Health issued Administrative Order No. 2019-0033, outlining the protocols for NCP. It mandates that upon admission, patients should undergo nutrition screening by registered nurses. Patients identified as requiring medical nutrition therapy are then referred by the physician to the RND for assessment.
He stressed the need for legislation to facilitate the universal implementation of NCP in all hospitals.Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., Co-Lead of the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions, emphasized that nutrition is a fundamental human right, and universal access to nutritional interventions is a crucial component of addressing malnutrition.
Jorge Banal Sr., president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines-National Capital Region, said “policies aimed at enhancing health outcomes for seniors are indeed of great importance,” considering that the elderly are often marginalized and underrepresented.