Paranaque’s health care program goes notch higher

AFTER three days of grueling inspection and evaluation, the Department of Health has finally accredited the Ospital ng Paranaque (OsPar) as a Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital.

The Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI) is a global program of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) being implemented by the DOH which encourages hospitals to promote breastfeeding, especially during the first six months of birth.

Various research studies have confirmed that breastfeeding helps enhance an infant’s intelligence and provides protection from allergies, infections and illnesses.

With the award, OsPar became the only 26th hospital in the entire country to be given the accreditation in compliance with Republic Act 7600, otherwise known as the “Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992.”

Built in record eight months, the P200 million 120-bed and six-story OsPar is considered one of the most modern public hospitals in Metro Manila and is one of the major priority projects of Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

He presided in its construction barely two months after he assumed office two years ago as part of his commitment to provide Paranaque City residents with high quality but free health care services.

Shortly after learning that OsPar was given the coveted accreditation, Mayor Olivarez congratulated all the hospital staff led by medical director Dr. Ephraim Neal Orteza.

“This accreditation was another proof that we are on the right track as far as providing quality health services to our people is concerned. Let us therefore continue to serve well even as we look forward to making OsPar at par if not better with other hospitals both public and private, in the country” Mayor Olivarez said.

Mayor Olivarez added that the accreditation also signified the fact that the hospital has been recognized by the DOH “for continuously offering quality maternity services by providing special care to mothers and their babies”.

The Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital initiative was conceptualized by UNICEF and WHO to save babies and make them less susceptible to serious illnesses like asthma, respiratory and ear infections while also helping mothers to avoid hypertension, diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers and other life threatening illnesses.

The project aims to increase the numbers of babies who are exclusively breastfed worldwide, a goal which the WHO estimates could contribute to avoiding over a million child deaths each year.