BREASTFEED EVEN DURING EMERGENCIES, DOH SAYS ON WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

From: DOH WebPage

Press Release/4 August 2009

The Department of Health (DOH) today said that it is pursuing aggressively its campaign for breastfeeding in the light of the 2008 National Demographic & Health Survey (NDHS) results revealing that only 50% of mothers exclusively breastfed for a period of two months or less.

The announcement was made as part of the worldwide observance of World Breastfeeding Week which is held every first week of August.

The latest NDHS survey result is below the 53% recorded in 2003. The same study shows that only 34% of infants below 6 months of age are being exclusively breastfed. The study also estimates that the under-five mortality rate is 34 deaths per 1,000 live births.

As part of its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, the DOH has adapted the Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding which include actions on how to encourage breastfeeding among infants and children especially during emergencies and in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Since the country is disaster-prone, many natural and man-made disasters inflict damage to lives and property. In these situations, infants and children are the most vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and death. Safe corners in evacuation centers must be provided with available breastfeeding counselor or mother-to-mother support.

Breastfeeding, then, becomes a life-saving intervention providing the greatest protection for infants who are most vulnerable to disease and death in emergency situations. Because of the limited access to clean drinking water, fuel and utensils (necessities in bottle-feeding), infants and children are at risk for diarrhea. Diarrhea is the tenth leading cause of deaths among infants, according to the 2009 DOH statistics.

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week is an international event held to draw attention to the vital role that breastfeeding plays, especially during emergencies. This year’s theme is, “Breastfeeding --- A Vital Emergency Response. Are You Ready?”. Locally, the theme is “Gatas Ng Ina, Laging Handa Lalo Na Sa Oras Ng Pangangailangan”.