Good news for pregnant and lactating mothers, women of reproductive age, and even young children.
The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading recently a measure to ensure food, care and nutrition for them under House Bill No. 5777 or the proposed “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act.”
If passed into law, it would uphold the people’s right to health as guaranteed under Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which states that the “State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them.”
It would also help contribute to the quality of human resources in the country, reduction of maternal and child maturity, eradication of hunger, and a decrease in all forms of malnutrition.
Among the salient features of the proposed legislation are the provision of pre-natal care for the first 270 days of conception and pregnancy, nutrition and counselling, Philhealth enrolment, social welfare support and special care for nutritionally-at-risk poor pregnant women.
For women about to give birth, they will be assured of admission and proper treatment at medical facilities and both mother and the unborn baby will be monitored during labor, as well after delivery to ensure preventive intervention on such issues as complications, premature delivery or low birth weight.
Early breastfeeding initiation will be encouraged while providing the mother nutrition counselling and provision of nutritious food at the facility until discharge.
Postpartum support will also be assured at health and nutrition centers at the community level where they can avail of follow-up checkups, home visits for women unable to go to the centers, breastfeeding support and counselling up to year two of the child.
The first six months of infancy will see the provision of continuous support for mother and her infant, including timely immunization services integrated with assessment of breastfeeding, growth and development promotion and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling.
Access to higher level facilities will also be provided for childhood illnesses or acute malnutrition.
House Bill 5777, also known as “An Act Strengthening the National and Local Health and Nutrition Programs for Pregnant and Lactating Women, Adolescent Girls of Reproductive Age and Teenage Mothers, Infants and Young Children in the First 1,000 Days, and Appropriating Funds Therefor,” is authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Reps. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Rogelio Espina, Angelina Tan, Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, Luis Raymond Villafuerte Jr., Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Sandra Eriguel, Teodoro Montoro, Sharon Garin, Teddy Baguilat, Maximo Rodriguez, Michelle Antonio, Eric Olivarez, Isagani Zarate, Nancy Catamco, Harlin Neil Abayon III, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Maria Vida Bravo, Ma. Lucille Nava, Rodel Batocabe, Estrellita Suansing, Danilo Suarez, Amado Espino Jr., Celso Lobregat, Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Victoria Isabel Noel, Manuel Jose Dalipe, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Scott Davies Lanete, Karlo Alexei Nograles, Erlpe John Amante, Carlos Cojuangco, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Michael John Duavit, Doy Leachon, Corazon Nunez-Malanyaon, Joey Salceda, Mark Aeron Sambar, Federico Sandoval II, Anthony Bravo, Alfredo Garbin Jr., Aurelio Gonzales, Ann Hofer, Virgilio Lacson, Jocelyn Limkaichong, Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Jose Panganiban Jr., Carlos Roman Uybarreta, Divina Grace Yu, Noel Villanueva, Juan Pablo Bondoc, Gerald Anthony Gullas, Ricardo Belmonte, Gus Tambunting, Ben Evardone, Tom Villarin, Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Raul Del Mar, Rene Relampagos and Lorna Silverio. (ABR-CONGRESS)
