From 2018 to 2022, the Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency and UNICEF, implemented the partnership program "Integrated Nutrition and Health Actions for the First 1,000 Days" (F1KD), with a focus on the three provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte.
Across the three project provinces, there was a notable improvement in diets of young children, with the minimum acceptable diet increasing from 15 percent to 18 percent. Exclusive breastfeeding rose to 71 percent, and early initiation of breastfeeding — within one hour of birth — increased significantly from 77 percent to 82 percent.
When it came to postnatal care (within 48 hours), there was an increase from 76 percent to 83 percent. The coverage of vitamin A services rose from 50 percent to 76 percent, and deworming from 46 percent to 61 percent. The households with improved sources of drinking water increased from 95 percent to 97 percent, and those practicing open defecation decreased significantly from 15 percent to 6 percent.
Zamboanga del Norte, in particular, saw a notable improvement in the proportion of young children consuming the minimum acceptable diet from 10 percent to 28 percent. Additionally, there was a remarkable decrease of children experiencing severe Food Poverty from 53 percent to 27 percent.
Generally, Zamboanga del Norte made considerable advancements in nutrition-specific indicators such as nutrition-sensitive Food Systems interventions, Early Childhood Development index, and access to clean water and improved sanitation. All these improvements contributed to the provincial flagship program integrating nutrition and health interventions for the first 1,000 days with food security and livelihoods, water and sanitation provision, as well as hygiene promotion and access to early childhood education and care.
"During the implementation of the F1KD program, we accomplished remarkable milestones especially at the national level to improve the policy and governance environment for maternal, infant, and child nutrition in the first 1,000 days, Kim Eunsub, Country Director of KOICA Philippines, said.
"Three new national policies and legislation were completed, namely: 1) RA 11210, the Expanded Maternity Leave Law completed in 2019; 2) RA 11148, (the first 1,000 days) Implementing Rules and Regulations completed in 2019; and 3) RA 11148, the Manual of Procedures completed in 2021," Eunsub added.
In addition, all 19 target municipalities increased their budget allocation for integrated nutrition and first 1,000 days interventions as noted in their Local Nutrition Action Plans. Those achievements in legal frameworks were brought about by the leadership of local chief executives, creating an environment for delivering quality care services.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic, along with several typhoons, affected the implementation period of the program. These external factors exacerbated vulnerabilities, disrupted services and the delivery of commodities, and complicated the counselling of caregivers and families for improved knowledge, awareness, and practices for optimum health outcomes.
Still, despite the challenges, the notable improvements and achievements recorded prove that the efforts put into the program are bearing fruit.
F1KD, which had a total budget of $6.7 million, was designed to provide a more responsive enabling policy and governance environment to strengthen systems for the delivery of quality and comprehensive nutrition and health, and to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers on maternal and child nutrition and health in the 19 project areas.
Though data from the 2022 Expanded National Nutrition Survey showed improving trends as a result of the program, it also put emphasis on key points that continuously need to be addressed to ensure food security and nutrition.
These points include: The need for multisectoral implementation strategies engaging agriculture and food system, health, education, WASH and social protection; creating enabling legislation and policies on food system and supply chains; improving coverage and strengthening the delivery of quality nutrition services; implementing policies and practices that support students in making healthy choices; and ensuring that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program accounts for the increasing cost of a healthy diet.
"While undernutrition in the Philippines remains a serious problem, the support of the Government of Korea through the F1KD program strengthened ownership and governance at all levels to ensure every child's right to survive and thrive. Let us keep the momentum and build on the gains we made. Children in the Philippines deserve the best possible start in life," Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, UNICEF Philippines Representative, said.