A message from the Office of the Director, Health Service: "Did you know that the August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and August 1 to 7 is World Breastfeeding Week? Watch Part 1 about Breastfeeding Awareness for PNP personnel" -- PCOL JEZEBEL D MEDINA DMD, Acting Director, Health Service
From August 1-7, 2022 is the World Breastfeeding Awareness Week with the 2022 Theme: “Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support”
Reference: Republic Act No. 10028 of 2010 and Proclamation No. 1113, s. 2006 and WHO
What is the World Breastfeeding Awareness Week under Proclamation No. 1113, s. 2006?
- World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7 is being celebrated every year in 120 countries consistent with the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, the International Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and Related Products and subsequent resolutions of the World Health Assembly, to which the Philippines is a signatory
- “Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding” jointly developed by the World Health Organization and the UNICEF pursues to revitalize world attention to the impact of feeding practices on the nutritional status, growth and development and thus the very survival of infants and young children
- Republic of the Philippines has two laws, Executive Order No. 51, s. 1986, known as the National Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and Related Products and Republic Act No. 7600, known as the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, to protect breastfeeding in accordance with its international commitments
- Latest scientific evidence have shown that breastfeeding provides protection against major illnesses in infants and children such as respiratory infections, diarrhea and malnutrition and reduces risk of degenerative diseases well into adulthood;
- Breastfeeding ensures maternal health by protecting against hemorrhages, uterine prolapse, anemia, certain cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes and other illnesses as well as by facilitating the recovery of mothers from the rigors of pregnancy and birthing, and by helping prevent closely-spaced pregnancies
- Breastfeeding is the most far-reaching and least costly Poverty Alleviation Strategy of developing countries, especially in the Philippines where the breastfeeding culture is being diminished beyond all reason.
It addresses the issue of national health aside from the issues of food security, economy, ecology, empowerment of women, bonding between mother and child, love and faith
- World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), which initiated the World Breastfeeding Week with the support of WHO and UNICEF, has urged that “no funding, donation or sponsorship from industries promoting breastmilk substitutes and related products” shall be accepted for the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, in accordance with its international standard of ethics
- Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to promote, protect and defend the health of infants and children through provision of sound policies and programs for breastfeeding and young child feeding with the end goal of reducing infant and under five mortality and morbidity
- With the DOH as lead, all government agencies and in particular the DepEd, the DSWDD, the DILG, LGU, the Philippine Information Agency and the Council for the Welfare of the Children, are hereby enjoined to participate and mobilize their networks to sustain a high level of awareness, support and protection of breastfeeding
- All non-government organizations, professional and civic organizations, the religious sector, private sector to work together and promote this endeavor
- All international agencies and organizations, within their respective mandate and programs give high priority and support to this undertaking
Check out the 3 minute video to learn more about the Part 1 of the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and World Breastfeeding Awareness Week
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