Section 9Sec./Art. 9

Health and Nutrition of Adolescent Females. - To address the cyclical nature of malnutrition among the population, delivery of health and nutrition services for adolescent females ten (10) to eighteen (18) years old at facility, school, and community levels shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Assessment of health and nutrition status and identification of nutritionally-at-risk adolescent girls, as well as provision of ready to use supplementary food or ready to use therapeutic food for nutritionally-at-risk adolescent females, as appropriate;

(b) Provision of age-appropriate immunizations based on the latest DOH guidelines;

(c) Provision of oral health services including oral health assessment;

(d) Provision of anti-helminthic drugs for deworming;

(e) Counselling on proper hand-washing, environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene;

(f) Provision of micronutrient supplements according to guidelines of the DOH, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd);

(g) Promotion of the consumption of iodized salt and foods fortified with micronutrients that may be deemed necessary;

(h) Referral to appropriate health facilities to manage menstruation irregularities or abnormalities that contribute to anemia and blood loss, and to manage complicated illnesses including moderate, severe acute malnutrition;

(i) Counselling on proper nutrition, mental health, avoidance of risk-taking behaviors, smoking cessation, adoption of healthy lifestyle practices, and family health; and

(j) Others as may be determined based on international guidelines and evidence generated locally.