The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) is a standardized and methodical approach that nutrition-dietetics and health professionals utilize to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and monitor their patients. It is comprised of four distinct but interconnected stages: nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, and nutrition monitoring and evaluation. Over the years, the adoption and utilization of NCP has gained prominence as health professionals aim to address malnutrition and other nutritional issues across all ages.  

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Administrative Order No. 2019-0033, referred to as Guidelines for the Implementation of Nutrition Care Process in the Hospitals in August 2019. Its objective was to introduce NCP in hospitals throughout the Philippines, with the goal of establishing a uniform approach to nutritional care that adheres to international standards. The adoption and implementation of NCP in the Philippine healthcare system represents a significant shift towards uniform, research-supported nutritional care. 

Following the publication of the DOH Order, several implementation issues have been found to limit the usefulness of NCP in clinical settings. Among the challenges encountered were resource limitations, insufficient staffing, ineffective communication among healthcare professionals and the previous pandemic situation.  

After four years of its issuance and implementation, a comprehensive analysis of AO 2019-0033 in the context of the country’s commitment to UHC is crucial to recommend practical solutions to these challenges. 

The Stratbase ADR Institute, in collaboration with UHC Watch, convened experts from the government, academe, private sector, and civil society organizations to a round table discussion entitled, Strengthening Nutrition Integration in the Health System: Evaluation of the Nutrition Care Process in the Philippines” last April 25, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN (PHT). In parallel, the event also took the opportunity to officially launch a constituency-led advocacy that will support the implementation of NCP as an efficient and evidence-based approach.