The Department of Health (DOH) Region X recently added 14 members to the NorMin core of IYCF Trainers through a five-day Training of Trainers on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) held June 6-10, 2016 at Pearlmont Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

The course was designed to give health care providers the competencies required to carry out effective counseling to mothers and caregivers for appropriate feeding of infants and young children (breastfeeding, complementary feeding and feeding of infants of HIV-positive mothers). The Mobilization of Community Support for IYCF was used as a springboard to enable participants organize and mobilize IYCF community support groups that will do the peer counseling of pregnant women and mothers with 0-2 years old children on their respective communities.

The training team led by Dr. Shari Ladaw Sabalvaro, IYCF Coordinator of Mandaluyong City, highlighted the importance of the promotion, protection and support to exclusive breastfeeding for six monthsand providing safe and appropriate complementary foods in addition to breastmilk up to two years and beyond. Miss Sherill Pineda and Jacqueline Roa, IYCF trainers from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City, respectively also served as trainors/facilitators.

The participants composed of health and nutrition personnel from the LGUs of Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City and National Nutrition Council Staff were able to demonstrate their newly acquired IYCF counseling skills during the hospital and community practicum at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center and Camaman-an Barangay Health Center.

DOH- RO X will continue to intensify IYCF advocacy efforts to contribute to the improvement of nutrition situation in the Region and campaign on First 1000 Days . pcgd/srcb