As the year starts, Valenzuela City unceasingly prioritizes the health of the children across the city as they kick off the Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus—an annual weigh-in and height measurement of the children aging 0-59 months old—in Barangay Palasan 3S, January 9.

Valenzuela City Health Office - Nutrition Unit led the first bout of Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus, which is annually conducted every first quarter of the year. This is in part with their assessment procedures regarding whether the children will need to undergo supervision from the City Health Office. Also, to strengthen the children's nutritional well-being, Vitamin A and deworming tablets are provided by the City Doctors, with dosages determined by the child's age and medical history.

Operation Timbang Plus encourages communities and parents to check on their children's progress markers regularly. This fosters a proactive culture and prompt response before malnutrition manifests. Families have been provided with the knowledge they need to maximize the nutrition and health of their children.

In the said program, children under the age of five must participate in a weigh-in session using the National Nutrition Council's (NNC) approved salter-type weighing scale to determine the appropriate dosage before receiving the chewable deworming tablet and drops of vitamin A. Moreover, accompanying barangay nutrition scholars monitor accurate height measurements and weigh-in sessions at each OPT Plus, as well as teach the parents and guardians how to efficiently deworm their kids at home.

The collected data will be utilized in outlining nutrition programs in the city as well as to evaluate and enhance the city’s existing local nutrition initiatives.

On the other hand, Mayor WES Gatchalian urges the parents to take their kids and participate in the program to ensure their nutritional well-being. 

OPT Plus aims to conclude the height assessments and weigh-in sessions by the end of March 2025 – covering all 33 barangays in the city.

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