Addressing nutrition vulnerability in infants under six months in the Philippines

In the Philippines, there is a significant prevalence of undernutrition among infants under six months, primarily due to sub-optimal breastfeeding practices, infectious causes, congenital conditions, and low birth weight. Additionally, a quarter of pregnant women are underweight, and there is a concerning incidence of teenage pregnancies, leading to adverse birth outcomes.

This UNICEF report focuses on understanding current health system practices for identifying and caring for at-risk infants under six months and pregnant or breastfeeding women in the Philippines.

The report's findings reveal gaps in community-level screening and care despite the existence of comprehensive criteria outlined in policy documents, particularly concerning low birth weight and premature infants.

To address these gaps, the report recommends updating guidelines with the latest evidence, improving data collection tools, strengthening frontline health workers’ capacity, and improving referral mechanisms and supply chains for essential nutrition commodities.  Moreover, integrating health and social services and reinforcing policies to protect adolescents and women from poor nutrition should also be emphasized.   

The insights from this report highlight the urgent need for decisive actions to address the vulnerabilities of pregnant women and infants in the Philippines and ensure that they receive the necessary care to lead healthy lives.