(THE PROVINCIAL NORTHERN SAMAR INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar welcomed its partnership with the Helen Keller International and Johns Hopkins University team on addressing the nutrition problem of school-age children in the province.
Vice Governor Clarence Dato warmly welcomed the Helen Keller International (HKI) team headed by Dr. Rolf Klemm, vice president for nutrition and research project director, and Dr. Amanda C. Palmer from Johns Hopkins University, who visited the province last April 8.
The Helen Keller International (HKI) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) are set to embark on a collaborative project that aims to reduce vitamin A deficiency among schoolchildren in the Philippines, with Northern Samar as one of the few beneficiary areas in the country.
Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness and blindness, and complications with the skin, heart, lungs, tissues, and immune system.
Northern Samar was first chosen as a beneficiary of the program in 2023, with the project implemented by HKI in San Roque town.
The nonprofit organization will again implement the program this year in Northern Samar as a follow-up aid for the province, in support of the government’s health and nutrition initiatives.
This follow-up program is expected to be completed by December 2024.
Prior to the implementation, the HKI and JHU conducted a comprehensive scoping visit from April 7-10, 2024 to assess the on-ground realities and lay the groundwork for the upcoming nutrition intervention.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
