ILOILO — The Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (RTMDH) has taken the lead in strengthening maternal and child healthcare in Iloilo by spearheading an intensive Lactation Management Training program aimed at equipping frontline health workers with essential skills to promote breastfeeding and newborn care.
Held over two weekends, from Aug. 5 to 7 and Aug. 12 to 13, the program trained nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals on Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) as well as Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).
Special emphasis was placed on the early initiation of breastfeeding, proper positioning and attachment, and addressing common breastfeeding challenges.
To ensure effectiveness, participants underwent pre- and post-training evaluations to measure knowledge gains, confidence, and competence in lactation support.
The training was led by RTMDH Chief Nurse Teresa D. Servidad with resource instructor Easter Joy Samar, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to professional development and quality maternal services.
The initiative coincided with the Iloilo Provincial Government’s intensified advocacy for breastfeeding in observance of National Breastfeeding Month this August.
Through the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC), the province is mobilizing families, communities, schools, and healthcare providers under this year’s theme of building “sustainable support systems” for breastfeeding.
Health experts emphasize that breastmilk provides unparalleled benefits compared to formula milk. According to the Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas, breastmilk is uniquely tailored to a baby’s needs and contains vital nutrients, antibodies, and bioactive compounds that protect against diarrhea, pneumonia, and other common illnesses. It also supports brain development, fosters emotional bonding, and may reduce risks of obesity and diabetes later in life.
“Breastfeeding is not merely a personal choice but a collective duty crucial to food security, infant nutrition, and the well-being of future generations,” the PNC stressed.
Formula milk, while adequate, lacks the protective antibodies and natural compounds present in breastmilk and is often harder for infants to digest, experts added./PN
