Abbott Partners with Rotary Club of Manila to Combat Malnutrition in the Philippines

Abbott has announced a strategic partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) to continue its fight against malnutrition in the Philippines.

This collaboration will equip RCM volunteers, including high school and college students, social workers, and teachers, with tools and training to address the critical nutrition needs in their communities and connect at-risk children to healthcare resources.

In the Philippines, 1 in 4 children under five years old are affected by stunting, a serious form of malnutrition that can hinder cognitive development, school achievement, and economic productivity in adulthood. Tackling malnutrition requires early identification through regular screening and intervention.

“Fighting malnutrition requires joint efforts between the public and private sectors, and local institutions that support the communities, such as the alliance that we have signed today,” said Eduardo ‘Jujut’ V. Enriquez III, president of the Rotary Club of Manila. “By leveraging our collective resources, we can foster healthier communities and help detect children at risk for malnutrition early so they can get access to important nutrition care.”

Empowering Communities for Early Detection and Intervention

As part of the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions (ACMS) initiative, this partnership aims to empower communities in the Philippines by improving children's health through early malnutrition detection and timely nutrition intervention. The focus is on reducing and preventing childhood stunting.

“Good nutrition plays a critical role in addressing malnutrition, which is why Abbott has focused on improving nutrition for decades through our innovations and by applying our science and expertise in collaboration with others,” said Dr. Jose Dimaano, Nutrition Medical Director for Asia Pacific at Abbott. “Through this partnership, we are empowering RCM volunteers with simple tools to solve one of the world’s biggest health challenges.”

Screening and Education for Better Nutrition

Abbott will train RCM volunteers to use screening tools, including height charts and the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) z-score tape, to identify malnutrition risks in children. The MUAC z-score tape is an easy-to-use tool with color-coded indicators, helping volunteers quickly assess whether a child is at risk of malnutrition.

The initiative will begin in two barangays in Metro Manila, aiming to build community-level capacity for screening and identifying malnutrition, alleviating some of the pressure on the healthcare system. Abbott will also provide training for families on the nutritional value of common foods, practical meal planning, food label reading, and preparing affordable, nutritious meals using locally available ingredients.

Continuing Abbott’s Commitment to Malnutrition Solutions

This collaboration builds upon Abbott’s Growth Watch initiative, which has been identifying childhood malnutrition and stunting early through growth monitoring and nutrition education. Since 2021, Growth Watch has impacted over 161,000 children and families in the Philippines. This work also aligns with Abbott’s 2030 Sustainability Plan, which aims to improve the lives of 3 billion people annually by the end of the decade, focusing on malnutrition, chronic diseases, and infectious diseases.

Abbott and the Rotary Club of Manila are committed to transforming the fight against malnutrition in the Philippines, empowering local communities to take action and support the health of future generations.