LAMUT, Ifugao-Twenty-Four community mobilizers and peer counselors here recently trained on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Program of the Government.

The four day training was conducted to community mobilizers and peer counselors consisting of barangay officials and health workers and volunteer mothers by staff members by the officials of the provincial and municipal government through the nutrition and health offices.

The lecturers gave an overview on the Philippine IYCF strategic plan; community support; and proper position of breastfeeding and mapping or identification of partners; conducting assembly; practices in the community orientation of peer counselors, action planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation; and overview of IYCF counseling and use of counseling cards.

“As trained community mobilizers, you should continue to educate mothers about breastfeeding and share the learning gained to your clients and family Z,” said National Nutrition Council-CAR Director Rita D. Papey.

The participants are expected to recruit more volunteers to join community mobilizers and peer counselors.
According to the Department of Health website, a global strategy for IYCF was issued jointly by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund in 2002 to reverse the disturbing trends in infant and young child feeding practices.

This global strategy was endorsed by the 55th World Health Assembly in May 2002 and by the UNICEF Executive Board in September 2002, respectively. Marcelo B. Lihgawon