Action - Nutrition International - Infant and Young Child Nutrition - Philippines - Multiple micronutrients supplementation

Programme: Nutrition International - Infant and Young Child Nutrition - Philippines

Programme description

The first 1000 days from conception to two years of age are critical to the health and development of a child.  Adequate infant and young child nutrition (IYCN) is crucial for survival and long-term health and well-being. Approximately 45% of deaths of children under five years of age can be attributed to malnutrition [1], and are often associated with inappropriate feeding practices during the first years of life [2]. The first two years of life provide a critical window of opportunity for ensuring children’s appropriate growth and development through optimal feeding. Many countries experience a sharp increase in the prevalence of malnutrition for this age group. 

NI supports countries to implement their IYCN program in line with WHO/UNICEF recommended IYCF practices. This includes the timely initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding to the age of six months, introduction of solid, semi-solid and soft foods at 6 months of age and continued breastfeeding until 24 months of age, recommended minimum meal frequency and dietary diversity. NI also supports recommended practices such as responsive feeding, hand washing with clean water and soap, and safe food preparation and storage. 

Some of NI’s support to IYCN programs includes a Micronutrient Powder (MNP) component.

NI’s approach to IYCN in the Philippines is to support the Department of Health’s (DOH) framework for the First 1000 days (F1KD) which delivers an integrated package of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition (MNCHN) services at both the facility and community-level. The program is focused on promoting, protecting and supporting exclusive breastfeeding for infants 0-5 months and providing appropriate counselling for caregivers and their supporters on optimal complementary feeding, including MNPs for children 6-23 months. Key interventions include the following:

  • Revision and/or updating of related DOH policies and guidelines.
  • Capacity building of frontline health workers (midwives, volunteer community health workers) to deliver continuum of services in the F1KD.
  • Establishment and operationalization of community based mother to mother (nutrition and breastfeeding) support groups.
  • Enhancement of behavior change interventions.
  • Tracking clients for case management (exclusive breastfeeding among 0-6 months old infants, consumption of MNP supplementation among children 6-23 months old, complementary feeding).
  • Conduct monthly nutrition review meetings to monitor progress of service delivery and promote accountability for targeted nutrition outcomes.
  • Formulation and issuance of local ordinances on F1KD to support institutionalization of services  and ensure funding for recurrent costs of interventions.

This program is being implemented in partnership with the Family Health Office (FOH)-DOH, the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Regional Health Offices, Provincial Health Offices, Rural Health Units, Helen Keller International (HKI) and UNICEF. Activities are being implemented in 45 municipalities in six provinces (Antique, Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo, Camarines Norte and Zamboanga del Norte). NI support to IYCN in Philippines began in 2016 and is ongoing.

Programme type

Community/sub-national

References

[1] Black RE et al. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet. 2013; 382(9890):427-451 

[2] Sankar MJ, et al. Optimal breastfeeding practices and infant and child mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatr. 2015 Dec;104(467):3-13 

 

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Revision log

DateUserLogState
Thu, 10/18/2018 - 20:55zillmerkpublishedpublished
Thu, 10/18/2018 - 18:15GINAadminNIpublishedneeds_review
Thu, 10/18/2018 - 17:51zillmerkpublishedpublished
Thu, 10/18/2018 - 17:30GINAadminNIAction edited by GINAadminNI.needs_review
Thu, 10/18/2018 - 17:30GINAadminNIAction edited by GINAadminNI.needs_review
Tue, 09/25/2018 - 16:07engesveenkEdited by GINAadminNI.published
Mon, 09/24/2018 - 22:36GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.draft
Fri, 09/14/2018 - 19:59GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.draft
Fri, 09/14/2018 - 17:51GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.draft
Fri, 09/14/2018 - 17:48GINAadminNIAction created by GINAadminNI.draft