Breastfeeding: "TSEK"!!! (Tama, Sapat at EKsklusibo)

In its fight against hunger, infant deaths and maternal mortality, the Department of Health (DOH) takes arms with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Quezon city (QC) Government to help improve child health through 'exclusive breastfeeding,' in the National Breastfeeding Month celebrations at the QC Memorial Circle last August 8, 2011.

Usec. Gerard Bayugo (DOH)

This year's theme is "Breastfeeding Talk and TSEK" (Tama, Sapat and EKsklusibo), which aims to mainstream 'exclusive breastfeeding' by communicating it to people of all ages and all walks of life.

DOH Breastfeeding TSEK is a public health education campaign which encourages mothers to 'exclusively breastfeed' their babies and educates them about the health benefits of breastfeeding. 

Tama means immediate and appropriate breastfeeding within one hour after birth.

Sapat stands for sufficiency of mother's milk (in nutrients and quantity) for the baby up to six months.

EKsklusibo pertains to exclusive breastfeeding of just pure mother's breast milk for six months.

"Exclusive breastfeeding" can lower the incidence of malnutrition, illnesses and deaths among children under five. Among the 23 child survival interventions, breastfeeding is the single most important interventions in saving lives. Thus, the DOH, AFP and the QC government have collaborated to show their strong commitment to promote child health and nutrition.

The DOH aspires to drumbeat its advocacy across sectors-in the communities, workplaces, industries, and hospitals-by engaging more Filipinos, especially new and expectant mothers, in its comprehensive campaign for 'Exclusive Breastfeeding' for six months, developed by DOH with the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

Since its launch in February, DOH has taken its information and TSEK campaign to 32 cities and 11 hospitals. This is in line with the department's Infant Young Child Feeding (IYCF) strategy, a comprehensive framework for the breastfeeding and complementary feeding national program, which targets communities, hospitals, industries, workplaces, and health facilities.