A vital connection

Each child has the right to have the nutrition he/she needs especially during the first 1,000 days when growth is so important and influences the rest of his/her life as a productive contributing adult, said UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander. (From UNICEF Philippines’ FB page)

Just how important are the first 1,000 days of a person’s life?

This period, which starts from conception to the child’s second birthday, is a time of huge potential. Many medical experts consider it as the “golden window” for a child’s development. According to the UN children’s agency UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), it is during this period when the foundations of optimum health, growth and neurodevelopment across the person’s lifespan are established. Yet the first 1,000 days is also a period of enormous vulnerability.

This inspired the Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNICEF, in partnership with the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council, to launch the First 1000 Days Program for vulnerable children and women in Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte. The integrated nutrition and health program, which targets the first 1,000 days of life, will benefit about 40,000 children aged below five and 57,000 pregnant/lactating women in the three provinces.

South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man said the Korean government fully supports the Philippine government in its goal to address malnutrition and achieve universal healthcare.

“By giving assistance to this project, the most vulnerable — mothers and children ages zero to five years old — will be ensured access to vital health and nutrition services which will help them develop fully later in life,” Ambassador Han said.

KOICA provides $6 million for the program and targets to benefit 19 local government units in the three provinces. The initiative also aims to improve the LGU policy, governance frameworks and service delivery systems, as well as enhance the capacity of 1,370 nutrition and health personnel.

PHOTO shows (from left) Dr. Gerardo V. Bayugo, DoH Undersecretary of Health; Senator Risa Hontiveros; Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Representative; and Paik Senghwa, Deputy Director of KOICA Philippines. (FROM UNICEF Philippines’ FB page) “KOICA recognizes the importance of achieving health at the bottom. Health is always a priority sector in our partnership program for the Philippines. The health of mothers and children is a concern since they are the most vulnerable group in the country. We know that the children are the future of the country and children’s life is related to KOICA’s slogan. By making this program for mothers and children, we thought now we could achieve our goals,” said KOICA’s assistant country director Paik Seunghwa during the press launch on 24 January.

“We thank the Korean government for supporting the Filipino child’s right to survive and thrive. Supporting interventions at the local level is important to reach every vulnerable mother and child especially those who do not have access to essential services,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander.

Undernutrition in the Philippines remains a serious problem, according to UNICEF. The damage to health, physical growth and brain development of children affected by chronic undernutrition, especially in the first two years, is often irreversible — impairing children for life and leaving them with lower chances of finishing school and becoming highly productive adults.

“Malnutrition costs the Philippines $4.5 billion a year, and this is a recurring cost. I can just compare it with the one-time cost of (typhoon) Haiyan which is $3.5 billion. This (issue) should be up there as an emergency. This is a middle-income country that should not have 35 percent of the child population malnourished. It’s actually 45 percent in Mindanao,” said Sylwander. “This means we are leaving 35 percent of our children behind, for good. They won’t be able to catch up. And they will cost more because they are sicklier, they will die earlier because they are weaker, and they will not be able to contribute to the national economy.”

The Philippines has a unique advantage over other countries in the region, according to Sylwander. “You have a very large youth population. Imagine, 35 percent of those youths will never be able to fully contribute and will never grow to their full potential. What if we turn that trend around and those 35 percent actually can grow to their full potential?”

Sylwander added that it is not an impossible job and not necessarily about poverty. It is also about parents’ understanding and attitude towards what their children need, such as six months exclusive breastfeeding or eating nutritious food and not just rice.

“We also need to embark on an educational tour for parents, teaching them how to do the best thing for their children, to survive and thrive and be the best they can be.”