Garantisadong Pambata 9 program launched in Quiot

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Health Central Visayas and the Cebu City Health Department yesterday launched the “Garantisadong Pambata 9”, a program of the government that aims to protect the health and welfare of children.

The launching was held at the barangay Quiot Sports Center attended by parent-residents with their children ages zero to five years old.

Various health drills, demonstrations, vaccinations and lectures highlighted the activity.

City Health and DOH officers facilitated a handwashing drill which taught children on proper handwashing practice, 'ceremonial patak' where children were immunized and a toothbrushing lecture and drill where children were taught about the proper way of brushing the teeth.

The demonstrations and lectures were part of the “GP 9-ways to save your child” strategy of DOH to reduce the rate of mortality among children.

The nine strategic ways being advocated include the promotion of skilled health professionals during pregnancy, delivery and immediate postpartum; care of the newborn; exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding; and micro-nutrient supplementation and deworming.

Also, the immunization of children and mothers; integrated management of sick children; child injury prevention and control; birth spacing; and proper personal hygiene.

GP is a “campaign to support various health programs to reduce childhood illnesses and deaths by promoting positive child care behaviors. It ensures that all children below five years old receive health services needed by them to be healthy,” according to the DOH.

GP started in 2000 with only two services provided which are the deworming and Vitamin A supplementation. In its ninth year this year, GP has created nine services made available to children across the country.

DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial said that an estimated 82,000 Filipino children die before their fifth birthday each year.

DOH targets to reduce the mortality by 75 percent before 2015 which translates to 12 child deaths per 1,000 live births only annually.

In Cebu City, CHD chief health officer Dr. Fe Cabugao reported that over the years, child mortality has been showing a decreasing trend. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)