Health groups, Quezon City govt in joint efforts to make children’s first 1,000 days better

• Source: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/health-groups-quezon-city-govt-in-joint-efforts-to-make-childrens-first-1000-days-better/
• Monday, February 6, 2017

(BusinessMirror)

Malnutrition in children continues to be a major concern in the country, particularly during their first 1,000 days. Thus, various Philippine medical societies and private health organizations have entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local government of Quezon City to implement nutrition-specific interventions to mothers and their infants in marginalized communities.

The first 1,000 days is the period that covers conception up to a child’s second birthday and there are health risks, which are irreversible, that occur during the said period.

The “First 1,000 Days Program” is a joint project of the Quezon City government, the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (POGS), the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and Kabisig ng Kalahi Inc. The pilot program will run for three years, or until September 30, 2019, with the intention to upscale the program for all Quezon City health units and their constituents.

Together, the organizations will implement an intervention program to address the lack of adequate nutrients received by Filipino children during the first 1,000 days of their lives, which cause irreversible damage or gaps in their physical, as well as mental, development. Some of these interventions are micronutrient supplementation, exclusive breastfeeding, immunization and proper nutrition.

“We are glad to participate in this public-private initiative to address maternal and child health concerns of our constituents, particularly since it is among the key priorities of our city government,” said Quezon City Councilor Lala Sotto-Antonio, who will file a resolution to back the First 1,000 Days Program.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who signed the MOA, reiterated what he emphasized in his most recent or seventh State of the City Address (Soca) that public-health services is a necessity in poverty alleviation.

“Our objective has been to improve the survival rate of our newborns and reduce maternal mortality. The Batang 1,000 program that our City Health Department operationalizes in partnership with various groups seeks to provide the health protection and nutrition needed to ensure the normal development of a child from the time he is born to 2 years of age,” Bautista said.

He urged all mothers to register in their barangays for the program to receive comprehensive care package during their pregnancy, up to the time they give birth, and for their child, as well.

Participation and compliance, according to Program Manager Maria Christine Joy B. Tanteo, MD, DPPS, is very crucial in the success of the program. “The mothers really have to avail themselves of the interventions that we are offering and to comply with the entire program. That is the key in getting all the health and nutritional benefits for themselves and their child. There are no shortcuts. They have to go through the entire program.”

“We are hoping with this kind of program, we can increase the awareness of mothers, help them adopt the right attitude toward motherhood, take active participation in their pregnancy and care of their child,” said Luz Ma. Theresa Garcia, MD, medical director of SafeBirth Lying-In Clinic.

The first 1,000 days is a period that opens a critical window for most beneficial intervention and positive resulting outcomes. Likewise, it is also a period when both mothers and children are at a greater risk of malnutrition.

Thus, the role of Kabisig ng Kalahi Inc. in providing the nutritional requirements of the mothers and children through supplemental feeding is very crucial. “We have been doing this for a long time already in various parts of the country. We will help mothers take care of their own nutrition and that of their children by teaching them to plan and prepare nutritious meals,” said its founder and president, Victoria V. Weineke.

Proper nutrition and sustenance can give children a very good head start early on in their lives. The program’s regimen can deal with risks associated with lack of adequate nutrients or malnutrition, such as its most prevalent and serious manifestation, which is stunting. Based on the findings of the eigth National Nutrition Survey Philippines conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), three out of 10, or 30.3 percent, children among 0 to 5 years old were stunted.

Stunting is a major contributor to child mortality due to common childhood infections, such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Stunting is also related to increased risk of overweight and noncommunicable disease, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, later in life. Besides, stunting, the other physical manifestations or signs of malnutrition include underweight, overweight and wasting.

Brain or mental development is just as important, according to PPS, the outcome of the brain development during the first 2 years of a child determines to a large extent a person’s mental capacity for the rest of his or her life. “Brain development should be at par with the child’s chronological age,” said Milagros Bautista, MD, immediate president of PPS.

In effect, it is an early investment into the future of the children as it will give them a good head start in life. They will be nourished very well, thus will grow up to be physically and mentally equipped. Indirectly, that is the key in breaking the chain of intergenerational poverty.

Poverty, particularly intergenerational poverty, is still prevalent among Filipinos. Poverty is transmitted from one generation to another. Poor parents’ children eventually become poor adults themselves, because they were not provided with proper nutrition, health care and education, among others. Thus, they have limited or lack opportunities life.

In the Philippines the monthly poverty threshold for a family of five is at least P9,140—this is the amount the family needs to meet both basic food and nonfood needs. Poverty threshold also refers to the minimum income a family or individual must earn in order to be considered “not poor”.

The top 2 goals among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are: end poverty in all its forms everywhere; and end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition.

POGS Vice President Mayumi S. Bismark, MD, said the First 1,000 Day Program is a seamless approach and that participation of the key health groups, which are experts in all aspects of care—from the women’s pregnancy to maternal and child care, will ensure its comprehensive implementation.

The clinical program is also meant to generate local data to support protocols that have been tested in other countries to ensure efficiency if and when it will be rolled out for implementation all over the country.

“It is the collective aim of all the organizations involved that the First 1,000 Days Program will be followed by others and will be implemented nationwide. We have gone beyond theories and concepts to actual implementation. Hopefully, we can bring the program down to the communities, so it can be adapted nationwide,” Bismark said.