MANILA — The House of Representatives has unanimously approved on final reading a measure seeking to strengthen health and nutrition programs for pregnant and lactating women, as well as infants, young children and adolescent girls.
With 227 affirmative votes, members of the lower chamber passed House Bill 5777, otherwise known as the proposed “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”, aimed at strengthening health care for mothers and their newborn children in the first 1,000 days.
The bill mandates the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Nutritional Council (NNC) Governing Board to formulate a comprehensive program to operationalize the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, which provides the government’s strategy to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
DIWA Partylist Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, principal author of the bill, said maintaining the health of the pregnant mother is crucial to prevent both maternal and infant mortalities.
Villar also said the bill ensures a good nutritional foundation for a healthy child.
“Mothers who do not receive the proper nutrition while pregnant usually give birth to babies who are Small for their Gestational Age,” Villar said.
For the first 270 days of conception and pregnancy, nutritionally-at-risk poor pregnant women shall receive pre-natal care, nutrition and counseling, PhilHealth enrolment, social welfare support and special care.
Women shall also receive support and intervention during and after childbirth wherein they can be assured of admission and proper treatment at medical facilities, as well as follow-up check-ups and counseling at the community level.
Delivery of health and nutrition services for adolescent girls, girls of reproductive age and teenage mothers shall include the provision of age-appropriate vaccines, provision of oral health services and provision of anti-helmintic drug for deworming. (PNA)