Breastfeeding-friendly bus on the go - DOH
by Rose B Palacio
Davao City (8 August) -- The first-ever breastfeeding bus was launched yesterday (Wednesday) through the courtesy of the Metro Shuttle Bus company based in Davao City and with routes to the provinces of Regions 11 (Davao) and 12 (Cotabato).
Department of Health (DOH) assistant secretary and concurrent regional director Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said the "Breastfeeding in the Workplace" program was initiated by government as DOH has agreed with the management of Metro Shuttle public utility to provide reserved seats for nursing mothers as a gesture of full support to the administration's advocacy of helping mothers, especially passengers to breastfeed their babies even in mobile situation.
Dr. Howard Sobel of the World Health Organization (WHO) also graced the launching here in Davao.
Likewise, the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) through its managing officer Major Magno Adalin also launched their "breastfeeding room" located inside the terminal complex for nursing mothers.
Breastfeeding stations in the workplace and public places has gained support in region eleven since the first launching of the NCCC chain of stores in August of 2006. Last year (2007), there were additional nine private and government facilities that followed suit.
To date, a total of 12 breastfeeding rooms and stations have been established in the region. In a report from NCCC, there were 478 and 663 clients in the year 2006 and 2007 respectively that availed of the breastfeeding facilities.
Region XI has the highest number of breastfeeding facilities and stations across the country.
DOH-Center for Health Development in Davao region has aggressively promoted breastfeeding in different places which could be accessed in whatever time possible - thus an available breastfeeding stations is equally necessary, Dr. Ma. Socorro Magracia said in a press conference held during the launching. (DOH XI/PIA) [top]
