Jan Federick Bantay BSN2D

New law boosts gov't services for

pregnant women, infants
National government agencies and local government units will
now have to ensure the provision of specific services to address
nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life

MANILA, Philippines – A new law orders the creation and

implementation of a nationwide strategy to ensure adequate
nutrition of pregnant women, newborn babies, and infants.
The "Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act" (Health and
Nutrition of Mothers and Their Children Act) was signed into law
by President Rodrigo Duterte on November 28. A copy was
released to media on Monday, December 10.
The law scales up government programs to address nutrition in
the first 1,000 days of life, or from zero to 24 months old. It also
covers pregnant and lactating mothers, women of reproductive
age, and adolescent girls.
The Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council, the
Department of Agriculture, and local government units will be
primarily responsible for implementing the law.

Together, these government agencies are to ensure that

barangay health centers and other public health facilities deliver
adequate nutrition and health services at the different life stages
and pregnancy stages.

It lists down specific services to be delivered to women and

babies at prenatal period, women about to give birth and
immediate postpartum period, postpartum and lactating period,
birth and newborn period, first 6 months of infancy, and infants 6
months up to 2 years of age.

For the prenatal period, this includes mandatory immunizations

like tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccine, enrollment to the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), provision of
micronutrient supplements, and even counselling on nutrition and
how to stop smoking.

The law prioritizes women and infants in areas with high poverty
incidence, underserviced areas, areas stricken with conflict or
crisis, and remote areas.

Reaction:

It is very important that the government should prioritize the

health of the newborns in the Philippines, especially those
mothers who does have problem financially. This act could help
lower the mortality rate of newborns here in our country. Nutrition
is very vital in part of the health of newborn, with proper nutrition it
can ensure a proper growth of the newborn. And most of the
problem here in the Philippines is malnutrition, so with that act it
can help the growth and wellness of the newborns here in the
Philippines.

Source:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/218662-new-law-boosts-
government-services-pregnant-women-infants