SHERIZA Y.

BALLESCAS
MED-2

TOPIC: “ESTABLISHING A TARGETED SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAM (TSFP)”

Reflection

For me this topic is very relevant in our community because we have lots of informal
settlers in our barangay, since the local government unit is not strict in their enforcement of
their existing ordinances. I could see a lot of kids without clothes, their tummies are distended
and looked wasted some are stunted, most of the mothers are in their teens and also looked
malnourished. This cycle of poverty will continue if we do not do something.

Establishing a TSFP will start with planning and collaboration with the barangay health
unit, it should be situated at or near a local health facility so that health care workers can
monitor the children it should also be accessible to the patient’s houses. We can also make use
of vehicles to deliver TSFP services to the particular households and make sure that the patient
is really consuming the commodities. On top of it all the parents should learn responsible
parenthood, teenage moms are quite immature to handle their child’s needs because as teens
they themselves have a lot of needs physically, emotionally, financially and mentally.

It also very important that a permanent staff should oversee the TSFP and not just
volunteers like the NDP or RHMPP although they can be of great help as health workers but in
order to maintain sustainability of progress and to build a continuous relationship with the
community there should be a treatment supervisor that will commit to 5 or more years to this
service.

THE DOH, NGOs and the LGU are sources of the necessary budget, trainings, supplies
and commodities for the TSFP. For the flow of services BHWs, Nurses and Midwives should
follow the guidelines on triaging and identification of a child with acute malnutrition and more
importantly they should be able to effectively educate and encourage mothers to IYCF,
breastfeeding, family planning and safe motherhood. This will take a lot of patience,
perseverance and commitment on the health team.

If the community, government, the health team and families unite together and help
each other in the spirit of solidarity and good will then hopefully this will be the end poverty
and malnutrition!