Empowering Local Dietitians: DOH-CHD Caraga Kicks-off IEM Workshop
The role of dietitians in the management of patients with Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) is crucial in attaining the latter’s optimum development and well-being. In the years since its operation, the Newborn Screening Program confirmed newborns with IEM. This includes Galactosemia (GAL), Phenylketonuria (PKU), and Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), three (3) disorders that need dietary management.
Afflicted patients, when removed from their special formula intake, need special diet for their survival as well as ability to live normal lives. The special diet can be facilitated by dietitians. However, most local dietitians are not equipped to manage these cases. To address this gap, the DOH CHD Caraga, in partnership with the Newborn Screening Center-Mindanao (NSC-M) and Center for Health Genetics Services-Mindanao (CHGS-M), held a workshop on the Inborn Errors of Metabolism, GAL, PKU, and MSUD on October 25-26, 2023 at the VCDU Prince Hotel, Butuan City. The workshop’s 28 participants consisted of 22 nutritionist dietitians, 4 physicians, and 2 nurses.
The key speakers of the workshop were Development Management Officer (DMO) IV Cheryl Mary L. Plaza, Project Development Officer (PDO) III Daniel Montilla, and Regional Follow-up Nurse Armie S. Tagud of DOH CHD-Caraga; NSC-M Unit head Dr. Conchita G. Abarquez; PDO IV Aster Lynn Sur, Genetics Nurse Lovely Miguela S. Quijada, Metabolic Dietitian Maxine Nicole de Guzman from CHGS-M; and Metabolic Dietitian Lawrence Sentillas of CHGS Visayas.
In addition to equipping the Caraga Region for the management of its three (3) IEM cases, the activity also aimed to develop rapport among the stakeholders of the program which is important for a smoother coordination in referral cases across the provinces of the said region. RAguilar
