Several United Nations agencies have lauded the Philippine government for the significant increase in breastfeeding rates in the country.
United Nations Children's Fund Representative in the Philippines Tomoo Hozumi said a strong policy and legislative framework and joint efforts among sectors in pushing breastfeeding have made a difference.
"The strong legislative and policy framework in the Philippines is being recognized as one of the best in the world, protecting every Filipino mother's right to breastfeed," Hozumi said.
Hozumi cited the Milk Code or Executive Order 51 signed by former President Corazon Aquino in 1986 which ensures that breastfeeding is protected and women are given clear information on the benefits of breastfeeding without undue influence of infant formula companies.
"The very substantial improvement in the exclusive breastfeeding rate that we are seeing today is a dividend of such efforts made by leaders and people in the Philippines over the last two decades. These laws are something which the whole nation should be proud of and continue to uphold," Hozumi said.
Figures recently released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI-DOST) showed that exclusive breastfeeding rates have risen from 36 percent in 2008 to 47 percent in 2011.
The initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery has increased from 32 percent in 2008 to 52 percent in 2011.
The government is leading the initiatives on breastfeeding promotion across the country in collaboration with various partners.
Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, WHO representative in the Philippines, said the increase in breastfeeding rates brings the Philippines closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in child health.
"We should continue to intensify the campaign to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in order to gain more grounds," he said.-Black Pearl (August 03, 2012)
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