11,700 children benefit from Lray Vita kidz program

by S Nieves

Pili, Camarines Sur (5 October) — This year’s number of beneficiaries of the LRay Vita Kidz, has almost tripled since the program’s inception in 2005, according to the latest report of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here.

PHO data show that LRay Vita Kidz program has benefited some 11,700 children this year compared to the previous years which averaged only at about 3,000 beneficiaries annually.

LRay Vita Kidz, a brainchild of Gov. LRay Villafuerte himself, is a program of the provincial government here which aims to eradicate malnutrition among children with ages ranging below 6 years.

The program has reached out to 459 barangays across the province. Its components include food and vitamin supplementations, de-worming before the start of the program, nutrition class for parents, and the distribution of assorted vegetable seeds intended for backyard and or community garden so that the parents will have source of food to sustain the nutritional needs of the children beneficiaries.

Launched in year 2005, the program has gained considerable headway because of its continuing success stories noted in many barangays which benefited from the program.

Local officials and barangay leaders, who were witnesses to the progress of children beneficiaries during the implementation of the program, were united in confirming its efficacy and efficiency. Children beneficiaries showed significant improvement in their weights and bearing after.

According to Dr. Gerardo N. Villafuerte, the head of the Provincial Health Office, the nutritional status in Camarines Sur is gradually improving as a result of the implementation of the LRay Vita Kidz program. (MMEC/PIA)