KORONADAL CITY—Two of the numerous hospitals and organizations in South Cotabato were chosen to present their best practices in the implementation of baby-friendly initiatives during the DOH initiated Breastfeeding Summit held on 29 August 2017 at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos city.
Dr. Amebella G. Taruc, OIC-Director III of DOH XII, said more institutions in the region pledged a commitment in support to RA 10028 or known as “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009” particularly the promotion on the establishment of breastfeeding stations/room/center at the workplace and other public places.
In SOCCSKSARGEN, more hospitals are declared Mother-Baby Hospitals. Dole Philippines, Inc. and Howard Hubbard Hospital are among the institutions in South Cotabato that joined the quality improvement initiative focusing on maternity care practices leading to the Baby-Friendly hospitals and workplaces.
“The best benefit of breastfeeding is the connection and the bonding of mother and child,” Taruc explained.
Taruc said a mother who breastfeeds her child could save at least P4, 000 compared to a mother who buys formula milk.
In South Cotabato, health authorities are helping offices and hospitals (both in private and government), in the processing the accreditation of the Baby-Friendly practices.
Meanwhile, transportation company such as the Yellow Bus Line Inc. continued their support to RA 10028 by sustaining the “breastfeeding seat in transit” catering the commuters/ passengers, while KCC mall of Koronadal and General Santos City, SM mall of General. Santos City and Dolefil have established a lactation room for breastfeeding mother employees and clients/customers.
Jessen Masukat, DOH XII Nutritionist-Dietitian IV, said all private and government hospitals offering maternity and newborn care may be accredited as “Mother-Baby Friendly” if they implement the “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” adopted from the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The 10 steps include having a written breastfeeding policy, training of health care staff to implement the policy, teaching mothers to practice rooming-in or staying with their infant in the same room for 24 hours a day, and breastfeeding within half an hour of birth, Masukat explained. (by Anna Liz Cabrido, The Informant/Nutri-DOSE)
