...LOCAL RELATED LIT. On December 7, 2009, the Department of Health launched the Unang Yakap Campaign. With this campaign, the DOH aims to cut down infant mortality in the Philippines by at least half. The campaign employs Essential Newborn Care (ENC) Protocol as a strategy to improve the health of the newborn through interventions before conception, during pregnancy, at and soon after birth, and in the postnatal period. The ENC Protocol provides an evidence-based, low cost, low technology package of interventions that will save thousands of lives. Based on health statistics, the Philippines is one of the 42 countries that account for 90% of under-five mortality worldwide. 82,000 Filipino children under five years old die every year. 37% of them are newborn. Majority of them (3/4) die within the first two days of life. Mostly due to stressful events or conditions during labor, delivery and immediate postpartum period. The current practice of handling newborns, like clamping and cutting the umbilical cord and washing the baby right after birth, have been known to actually contribute to the high incidence of neonatal deaths and illnesses in the country. Thus the need for a paradigm shift from the prevailing standard procedures into the new protocol. Health Secretary Duque explained that the ENC Protocol involves focusing on the first hours of life of the newborn with the manual guiding health workers in providing evidence-based essential newborn care. Essential Newborn Care Workflow...
Words: 3976 - Pages: 16
