Leading the fight for child health and survival

MANILA, Philippines - Child death under the age of five years old remains an alarming problem worldwide. According to the Department of Health (DOH), about 10.6 million children under five years old are dying yearly globally, mostly from preventable diseases. Ninety percent of these deaths occur in 42 countries, including the Philippines, where 82,000 under-five children die every year from pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, injuries, and neonatal-related causes, of which more than 50 percent have underlying under nutrition.

These disturbing figures had given birth to government-initiated child health-focused programs that aim to intensify education and participation of the public in the prevention of these deaths and ultimately, in ensuring the survival of children under the age of five. At the forefront of these initiatives is Garantisadong Pambata, an institutionalized pre-schoolers nationwide health campaign conducted every third week of April and October aimed at delivering a package health services to children under five years of age and relevant health information for parents and caretakers. While delivery of essential health package is focused during the Garantisadong Pambata week, the health services and dissemination of health information are also available year-round to children between six and 71 months old.

The Garantisadong Pambata campaign was started in 1998 to promote the universal access of child survival services for the improvement child health in the country. The campaign is centered on educating parents and local government units on the nine child survival interventions for continued and sustained delivery of under-five child health services and increase the number of mothers of under-five children accessing the child survival services by 25 percent.

The nine child survival interventions consist of: (1) skilled attendance during pregnancy, delivery and immediate postpartum; (2) care of the newborn; (3) breastfeeding and complementary feeding; (4) micronutrient supplementation and deworming; (5) immunization of children and mothers; (6) integrated management of sick children; (7) child injury prevention and control; (8) birth spacing; and (9) proper personal hygiene.

This year, the DOH stepped up the child survival services campaign with Garantisadong Pambata 9, with the theme “GP 9 in 2009: 9 Ways to Save Your Child.” The campaign this year was aimed at pushing further the essential child survival package to the public through dissemination of Garantisadong Pambata messages in hospitals, malls, and media, revival of “patak” centers (iodine supplement and polio), and holding of special fair such as the GP Fair in major hospitals and the First GP Summit.

Highlighting this year’s campaign was the launch of the Search for GP Champs, which bestowed recognition to outstanding pro­vinces and cities which have shown exemplary achievement for the delivery of package of child survival services. This year’s awardees were chosen from among the provinces and cities, each receiving cash prizes and trophies.

Through the Garantisadong Pambata campaign, the Philippines was recognized last year by Save the Children, a US-based global independent organization, for attaining the highest record of delivery of basic healthcare services for children among 55 developing countries. The Philippines was also ranked number one in best child care among the developing countries.

As it looks forward to more years of fighting for child health and survival, the DOH, through the Garantisadong Pambata campaign, is keen at drumming up future efforts to ultimately improve child health and reduce deaths among children under the age of five years old by two-thirds as all are committed to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.