“The WIC program is geared more towards nutrition. Everyday at the clinic and on our regular visits to the islands, we monitor the nutritional needs of our clients and address these needs,” Esplin said during a recent interview.
She said that once they detect iron deficiency problems, they check what the patient or the client’s diet consists of and see if they are eating adequate iron-rich foods.
“If the clients lack iron-rich foods, we make recommendations as to what they need,” Esplin said.
Due to the distance, however, WIC can only make a two-day visit once a month to Rota, usually on the first week of the month, and two one-day visits to Tinian, usually during the second and the fourth week of the month.
Esplin said that last month, WIC has serviced a total of 220 clients on Tinian, 189 clients on Rota, and 4,277 clients on Saipan, or a total of 4,686 pregnant women, infants and children.
She said the number is growing since the clinic’s opening at its present location at the Upper Navy Hill in November last year.
“Everyday, especially on Wednesday mornings, we have our hands full with the clients who need our services here on Saipan,” she said.
She added that she is happy with the positive response of the community to the services WIC is giving to the public.
WIC is a nutrition program designed to help pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. Through the WIC program, low income women, infants and children are provided access to healthcare, nutrition education, counseling and nutritious foods.
