CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN

Year 2001-2004

Introduction
 The Philippine National Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children or CHILD 21 is a strategic framework for planning programs and interventions that promote and safeguard the rights of Filipino children. Covering the period 2000-2005, it paints in broad strokes a vision for the quality of life of Filipino children in 2025 and a roadmap to achieve the vision.  Children's Health 2025, a subdocument of CHILD 21, realizes that health is a critical and fundamental element in children's welfare. However, health programs cannot be implemented in isolation from the other component that determine the safety and well being of children in society. Children's Health 2025, therefore, should be able to integrate the strategies and interventions into the overall plan for children's development.

Vision
A healthy Filipino child is:  Wanted, planned and conceived by healthy parents, carried to term by healthy mother, born into a loving, caring, stable family capable of providing for his or her basic needs and delivered safely by a trained attendant.  Screened for congenital defects shortly after birth; if defects are found, interventions to correct these defects are implemented at the appropriate time.  Exclusively breastfed for at least six months of age, and continued breastfeeding up to two years. Introduced to complementary foods at about six months of age, and gradually to a balanced, nutritious diet. Protected from the consequences of protein-calorie and micronutrient deficiencies through good nutrition and access to fortified foods and iodized salt.

 Provided with safe, clean and hygienic surroundings and protected from accidents. Properly cared for at home when sick and brought timely to a health facility for appropriate management when needed. Offered equal access to good quality curative, preventive and promotive health care services and health education as members of the Filipino society.  Regularly monitored for proper growth and development, and provided with adequate psychosocial and mental stimulation. Screened for disabilities and developmental delays in early childhood; if disabilities are found, interventions are implemented to enabled the child to enjoy a life of dignity at the highest level of function attainable.  Protected from discrimination, exploitation and abuse.  Empowered and enabled to make decisions regarding healthy lifestyle and behaviors and included in the formulation health policies and programs. Afforded the opportunity to reach his or her full potential as adult.

Current Situation
 The probability of dying between birth and five years of age is 48 deaths per 1000 livebirths. The top five leading causes of deaths (which make up about 70%) of deaths in this age group) are pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, meningitis and malnutrition. About 6% die of accidents i.e. submersion, foreign bodies, and vehicular accidents.  The decline in mortality rates may be attributed partly to the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI), aimed to reduce infant and child mortality due to seven immunizable diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B and measles).  The Philippines has been declared as polio-free during the Kyoto Meeting on Poliomyelitis Eradication in the Western Pacific Region last October 2000. This. however, is not a reason to be complacent. The risk of importing the poliovirus from neighboring countries remains high until global certification of polio eradication.

 Malnutrition is common among children. The 1998 FNRI survey show that three to four out of ten children 0-10 years old are underweight and stunted. The prevalence of low vitamin A serum levels and vitamin A deficiency even increased in 1998 compared to 1996 levels as reported by FNRI. Vitamin A supplementation coverage reached to more than 90%, however, a downward trend was evident in the succeeding years from as high as 97% in 1993 to 78% in 1997.  Breastfeeding rate is 88% (NSO 2000 MCH Survey), with percentage higher in rural areas (92%) than in urban areas (84%). Exclusive breastfeeding increased from 13.2% to 20% among children 4-5 months of age (NDHS).

Goal

The ultimate goal of Children's Health 2025 is to achieve good health for all Filipino children by the year 2025.

Strategies and Activities

 Enhance capacity and capability of health facilities in the early recognition, management and prevention of common childhood illness.  Strengthening community-based support systems and interventions for children's health.  Fostering linkages with advocacy groups and professional organizations and to promote children's health. Collaboration with the nongovernment sector and professional groups shall:  Conduct national campaigns on children's health  Conduct and support national campaigns for children  Initiate and support legislations and researches on children's health and welfare  Development of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for child health programs and projects