The impact of good nutrition early in life can reach far into the future. Children who get the right nutrition in their first 1,000 days in life are 10 times more likely to overcome the most life - threatening childhood diseases, complete 4.6 more grades of school, go on to earn 21% more in wages as adults, and are more likely as adults to have healthier families (www.thousanddays.org).
Creating an enabling environment through the participation of the parents and caregivers themselves as well as the Local Government Units and other stakeholders to focus on providing appropriate interventions on the first 1,000 days in life will ultimately lead to decreased maternal and childhood morbidity and mortality.
Thus, the Family Health and Nutrition Cluster launched the first Department of Health Baby Expo in cooperation with the Bacolod City Health Office on December 23, 2014 at Robinson’s Place, Bacolod City. The purpose was to promote the importance of the first 1,000 days in life among various stakeholders primarily mothers and caregivers. The activity provided health and nutrition information, updates and a good opportunity to tackle issues and concerns related to the care of the pregnant woman and her baby from conception to two years or what is referred to as the first 1000 days in life. These were presented through the following topics: Care of the Pregnant Woman, A Mother’s Testimony on Exclusive Breastfeeding, Complementary Feeding Techniques and What It Meant to be a Fully Immunized Child.
The activity also provided pleasant surprises to the participants through fun-filled games like “Baby Crawling”, “Pop Quiz”, and “Give Me What I Want” specially designed to widen understanding of the power of the first 1,000 days in life. Facilitators who were in Christmas costume made the activity more colorful and festive.
The attendance of participants exceeded the number expected such that it enabled to generate support of the various stakeholders in promoting maternal, newborn, and child care through proper health and nutrition. The First Lady of Bacolod City, Josefa “Paching” Puentevella delivered an inspirational message in behalf of City Mayor Monico Puentevella.
Partners included the Kiwanis Club of Metro Bacolod, various business entities like Jollibee and Huggies, Friends of the City Health Office, and supportive individuals such as Vice-Mayor Greg Gasataya, Urban Basic Services Head Ma. Theresa Galon, nurses and midwives of the Bacolod CHO, NDPs, and many others.
Bacolod City First Lady Ms. Josefa A. “Paching” Puentevella, gives Inspirational Message on behalf of City Mayor Monico Puentevella during the launching of the1st Baby Expo 2014 at Robinson’s Place, Bacolod City.
A Mother’s testimony on the benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding
FHN Cluster Facilitators led by: Dr. Renilyn Reyes