Unicef praises breastfeeding-friendly PH

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines was commended for its efforts to increase its breastfeeding rate.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute revealed that the  breastfeeding rates in the country have increased from 36% in 2008 to 47% in 2011. Initiation of breastfeeding to babies an hour after delivery has also increased from 32% in 2008 to 52% in 2011.

“We know that efforts to increase breastfeeding rates take the cooperation and commitment of many actors from different sectors,” said Tomoo Hozumi of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). “What we have seen in recent years is a coming together of many different partners from the government, political leaders, NGOs, other civil society organizations and media to support these efforts. This is the key to sustained improvements in breastfeeding and ultimately in physical and mental development of children in the Philippines.”

Despite the improvement in the national level, there are still disparities in breastfeeding rates in the local level, however. The Family Health Survey in 2011 showed that exclusive breastfeeding rates in some areas of the country are as low as 27%.

But Hozumi said key policies have come a long way in pushing for breastfeeding. He cited in particular the Milk Code or Executive Order 51, which was signed in 1986 by former President Corazon Aquino. The Code ensures that breastfeeding is protected and women are given clear information on the benefits of breastfeeding without the undue influence of infant formula companies.  

“The very substantial improvement in the exclusive breastfeeding rate that we are seeing today is a dividend of such efforts made by leaders and people in the Philippines over the last two decades. These laws are something which the whole nation should be proud of and continue to uphold,” Hozumi said.

Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, Philippine representative to the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized that promoting breastfeeding is crucial in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health in the country.

“The increase in breastfeeding rates takes us that much closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in child health. We should continue to intensify the campaign to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in order to gain more grounds,” he said.

One of the targets under the MDG is to reduce by two-thirds the under-5 years old mortality rate between 1990 and 2015.

International organizations said the Philippine government should exert more efforts in making all local communities adopt exclusive breastfeeding. – Rappler.com