La Libertad, Negros Oriental – Recognizing the critical roles fathers play in promoting breastfeeding in this time of pandemic, the Barangay Nutrition Committee of Barangay Nasunggan in this third-class municipality, organized its first ever Breastfeeding Support Group called the PapaDOR or “Papa, Let Us Do Our Responsibilities” on 22 September 2020. The BNC prioritized Barangay Nasunggan as it ranked 3rd in stunting prevalence out of the 29 barangays
PapaDOR is composed of fathers of stunted and wasted children and/or partners of first-time mothers/pregnant women. The BNC members selected this male group to change the common practice that all female participants in the conventional health and nutrition activities. The nutrition officials pushed for inclusion of men for them to actively participate in the improvement of health and nutritional status of their families. This will give them an invincible role in the development of their children especially during the First 1000 Days of life. The responsibility of promoting quality life to their families starts with their mutual respect of partners and their shared responsibility in raising a healthy family.
The Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly appeal to the public to promote and support the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants from birth up to six months, and continued with complementary feeding being the most healthy, efficient and environmentally sustainable action of mothers for their children. Exclusive breastfeeding protects children against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. It also improves survival and provides lifelong health and development advantages to newborns and infants. Appropriate precautions for infection prevention and control, should be practiced by breastfeeding moms and other family members such as wearing mask, practicing hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
Organizing other PapaDORs in the other barangays of La Libertad is one of the activities in the pipeline for La Libertad Municipal Nutrition Committee to promote exclusive breastfeeding and contribute to the reduction of stunting and other forms of malnutrition in the municipality. // NO II Chutsvieka May Pacatang, RND
