Medical leaders push child feeding strategy
"A strong and healthy child is valuable as a strong and healthy nation," said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she lauded the signatories of the Manila Declaration on the Promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding Strategy.
The Malacañang press report disclosed that the Infant and Young Child Feeding Strategy (IYCFS) aims to educate families on the correct way of providing proper nutrition to their children from birth to the first two years of life.
" You who are involved in Infant and Young Child Feeding are securing our country's future for tomorrow belongs to today's child," President Arroyo said as she stressed that with the IYCFS in place, the crusade to end hunger is within reach.
The medical directors and chiefs of hospitals in the National Capital Region presented to President Arroyo their total commitment to end malnutrition and promote proper feeding for infants and young children during their recent conference. The theme of the activity focused on "The Breasfeeding Highway Begins at the Hospital ."
Among the commitments stipulated in the Manila declaration on the promotion of IYCFS are:
a) to maintain their respective hospitals statuses as Mother-Baby Friendly Hospitals once certified as such ;
b) to implement the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act (RA 7600 or An Act Providing Incentives to All Government and Private Health Institutions with Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Practices) ;
c ) enforce Executive Order No. 51, otherwise known as the Milk Code of the Philippines and;
d ) to work with local government units and other partners in establishing and ensuring the functionality of breastfeeding support groups in the communities served by the medical practitioners . (PIA/T . Villavert)