DOH announces package services in ‘Garantisadong Pambata’ round two

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2611444981656/doh-announces-package-services-in-garantisadong-pambata-round-two
• Saturday, October 17, 2015

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 16 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) region 10 through ‘Talakayan sa PIA’ press conference on 12 October 2015 announced that they have package services for zero to 59 months old in all health centers in region 10 as part of the ‘Garantisadong Pambata’ program round 2 in October.

Telesfora Madelo, nutritionist-dietician of DOH region 10 said that the package include free vitamin A to infants from 6 months to 11 months old and pre-schoolers from 12 to 59 months old; meanwhile ferosulfate drops will be given to low birth weight and low haemoglobin infants and supplement tablets to pregnant women who are high risk.

Based on DOH Administrative Order 119 s. 2003 on 2 December 2003 issued by the Secretary of Health, priority targets for micronutrient supplementation include universal vitamin A supplementation to infants and children 6-71 months. Vitamin A supplementation shall be given to children at risk, particularly those with measles, persistent diarrhea, severe pneumonia and malnutrition to help re-establish body reserves of Vitamin A and protect against further infections and complications.

Also, postpartum women shall be given vitamin A capsule within one month after delivery to increase vitamin A concentration of her breastmilk as well as Vitamin A status of their breastfed children.

Further, DOH will also provide dental aide or oral hygiene in daycare centers, operation ‘timbang’ (weinging of scale) for children and health education to barangay nutrition scholars.

In terms of optimal health of infants, Gilda C. Ajoc, nurse of DOH region 10 said that breastmilk is still best for babies.

Although findings from DOH show that only 60-70% of mothers in Cagayan de Oro City practice breastfeeding, they are still hoping that mothers will re-assess and go back to the natural way of feeding their infants.

Aside from the complete and natural vitamins and minerals, mothers can save lots of money by breastfeeding, said Ajoc.

Meanwhile, in the rural areas, 85-90% practice breastfeeding.

Further, DOH and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mandates the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10028 or “An Act Providing Incentives to All Government and Private Health Institutions with Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Practices and for other Purposes” or the Expanded Breastfeeding Act of 2009 where government and private companies to put up lactation station for breastfeeding mothers.

Stated also in this law is the 40-minute allowed and paid time for mothers to breastfeed during the 8-hour work day in the lactation station.

DOH said they are monitoring and going around the city and region to make sure this law is implemented.