Korean government and UNICEF launch First 1000 Days Program to benefit vulnerable communities in select PH provinces
Did you know that despite the
modernization of the world and the advancement of technology, malnutrition is
still a big issue in some parts of the world especially in our country? In an effort to address the problem, Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UN children’s agency UNICEF, in
partnership with the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council
officially launched last January 24, 2019 the integrated nutrition and health
program that will target the first 1,000 days of life to benefit vulnerable
children and women in Samar, Northern Samar, and Zamboanga del Norte.
“The Korean Government fully supports
the Philippine government in its goal of addressing malnutrition and achieving
universal healthcare. By giving assistance to this project, the most vulnerable
– mothers and children ages 0-5 years old –will be ensured access to vital
health and nutrition services which will help them develop fully later in
life,” says Ambassador HAN Dong-Man, Korean envoy to the Philippines.
The support from KOICA amounts to US$6
million and targets 19 local government units in three provinces, namely Samar
and Northern Samar in Region VIII and Zamboanga Del Norte in Region IX. Expected
reach through the initiative will be 12,000 infants 0-5 months old, 36,000 6-23
months old – including children from poor families and children from
geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas– and 57,000 pregnant and lactating women. It also aims to
improve the LGU’s policy, governance frameworks and service delivery systems
and enhance the capacity of 1,370 nutrition and health personnel.
“We thank the Korean government for supporting the Filipino child’s right to survive and thrive. Supporting interventions at the local level is important to reach every vulnerable mother and child especially those who do not have access to essential services,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says.
Technical support at the national
level is expected to reach an
estimated 14 million children under five years of age including acutely
malnourished children, premature newborns, an estimated 3.5 million pregnant
women,
and 3 million lactating women in 17 regions across the country.
The project aims to: a) establish a
more responsive enabling policy environment at the national and local level
that supports the comprehensive approach to maternal, infant and child
nutrition and health in the critical first 1,000 days window; b) strengthen
systems for the delivery of quality and comprehensive nutrition and health
services for the first 1,000 days provided to women, newborns and children; and c) improve
knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women, mothers and caregivers in
the 19 project areas on maternal and child nutrition and health.
Under-nutrition in the Philippines
remains a serious problem. The damage to health, physical growth and brain
development of children affected by chronic under-nutrition—stunting in the
first two years—is often irreversible, impairing children for life and leaving
them with lower chances of finishing school and becoming highly-productive
adults. Stunting, iron and iodine deficiencies impact learning abilities and
intelligence of children. Studies show that populations affected by iodine
deficiency have 10 - 15 IQ points less than those not affected.
A joint research by UNICEF Philippines
and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) revealed that every $1 (P53) invested
in interventions to combat child malnutrition and accompanying problems can
save around $12 (P639) in foregone earnings or health expenditures – equivalent
to a 12:1 benefit-cost ratio.
The Kalusugan and Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, more commonly known as
First 1000 Days Law, was approved by the end of 2018 and heralds the beginning
of more concerted efforts by the national and local government, donors, and
civil society.
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