Philippines

Dubai/Manila, 30 November 2023 – The bodies and minds of children are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. As the climate changes and water supply and services are affected, children’s mental and physical health are also changing, a new report from UNICEF warns as COP28 starts in Dubai today. 1 in 3 children – or 739 million…

Napakahalaga ng unang limang taon ni baby, hindi lang sa physical growth niya, pati na rin sa kanyang emotional well-being. Mula sa unang mga salita hanggang sa unang hakbang, maraming feelings ang mararamdaman ni baby (at ikaw rin!).  Sa atin nila unang natututunan ang feeling na minamahal at inaalagaan. Mahalagang maramdaman nila mula sa atin…

Kung nahihirapan kang kausapin ang iyong teenager, hindi ka nag-iisa. Maraming magulang ang hirap makipag-usap sa kanilang mga teenager. Sa adolescent stage nararanasan ng mga bata ang iba’t ibang pagbabago at maraming emosyon. Importanteng ipadama at sabihin natin na mahal natin sila at handa tayong makinig sa kanilang mga problema — kahit ano pa…, Here are 5 simple ways:, Gumawa ng safe space para mag-open up siya sa’yo Hikayatin na mag-share ng kanyang nararamdaman o pinagdadaanan. Halimbawa habang sabay naghahanda ng hapunan o naghuhugas ng pinggan. Magandang makinig nang hindi sumasabat o pinuputol ang sinasabi niya. Nakakatulong din na ipaalam ang ating pag-unawa. Pwedeng sabihin: “naiintindihan kita” o “…

Manila, 5 May 2023 — A UNICEF regional secondary analysis report of the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019 database - including the Philippines - reveals the inextricable link between learning and well-being. The report titled “ What does SEA-PLM 2019 tell us about child well-being and learning in six Southeast Asian countries?” gives a…

Jamila could see them from afar. The hazy figure of PPE-clad nurses toting vaccine carriers coming over the hill meant only one thing for the first-time mother—her baby Jonaila was going to get vaccinated. Unlike most towns in the Philippines where patients go to the clinics, government nurses in Marantao, Lanao del Sur, go from house to house to…, Rise in zero dose children, Jamila and Jonaila’s case reflects a disturbing increase in the number of unimmunized children, among those born during the COVID pandemic. According to UNICEF Immunization Officer Dr. Amador Catacutan, these children are particularly at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases like polio and measles. “As they would be under 2 years old, their immune…, 2019 outbreaks, BARMM had already been lagging in vaccination rates even prior to the pandemic. The situation came to a head in 2019, when the province of Lanao Del Sur saw outbreaks of both polio and measles—two severe yet easily preventable diseases covered under the seven vaccines of the routine National Immunization Program for children. Dr. Alinader Minalang…, Post-outbreak, Dr. Catacutan credits the success of the 2019 outbreak response to a true “multi-sectoral effort”—a campaign that needs to be sustained to combat the rise in zero dose children. “Most people think this is only an issue for the health sector, but this isn’t true.” “Sometimes we need the Department of Social Welfare and Development to give financial…

The Philippines ranks fifth globally among countries with the highest number of unvaccinated children, with one million children across the country who have not received a single childhood vaccine . Within the country, 60% of ‘zero-dose’ children live in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) . One of those ‘zero-dose’ babies…, A well-connected response, Village health workers, who bring essential services to families like Jonaila’s, are part of a truly multisectoral team responding to the need. This involves the central coordination and strategy role of the provincial health team; religious leaders; police trucks for transporting vaccines over rocky and other challenging terrain; and non-…, Alim Abdulrahman Poli is the imam at Mutilan Mosque in Marawi City. In his sermons he does what he can to dispel any doubts about vaccinations. “We tell our congregation to take care of their health, that vaccines are not haram, it’s for the protection of children. We are obliged to take care of children because they are the future of our…, UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723166/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Alim Abdulrahman Poli, 43, a religious leader, inside a mosque. UNIPH-2022-WPD-19, UNICEF worked with imams during the 2019 measles and polio outbreaks, to share sermons in line with the Quran’s teachings. “Qadar means fate or destiny in Islam,” says Poli. “But you first must do your part, in this case, that means getting vaccinated. It’s stated in the Quran that in every concern, you ask the expert in that field. So, if it’s…, UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723147/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Dr. Princess Sacar, head of the Lanao Del Sur Provincial Health Office. UNIPH-2022-WPD-20, Dr. Princess Sacar is head of the Provincial Health Office, she treated children for measles in Manila, during the 2019 outbreak. “There were so many patients,” she says. “I felt overwhelmed and it was so frustrating. Measles is highly contagious and yet easily preventable.”, UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723162/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Dr. Amador Catacutan, UNICEF’s immunization officer, checks a vaccine freezer UNIPH-2022-WPD-21, Dr. Amador Catacutan, UNICEF’s immunization officer, checks the vaccine stocks at the rural health center. “UNICEF initiated the polio outbreak response. Here in Mindanao, there were five rounds of catch-up campaigns, as it was where the first case was identified. Outreach teams were vital, visiting homes and also markets with a target of…, UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723239/Martin San Diego/Highway Child The medicines warehouse and cold-chain vaccine storage facility in Marawi City. UNIPH-2022-WPD-22, The medicines warehouse and cold-chain vaccine storage facility in Marawi City. UNICEF distributed solar-powered refrigerators to areas that struggle with power outages, and continues to forecast, procure and disseminate vaccines for the region., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723175/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Dr. Alinader Minalang, Provincial Health Officer for the province of Lanao Del Sur, in the medicine warehouse and cold chain storage facility. UNIPH-2022-WPD-23, Dr. Aliander Minalang is the provincial health manager in charge of implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the vaccination program. The Ministry of Health develops the immunization plan and it is adapted at local level. “At the time of the 2019 outbreaks the cold chain facility was not ideal. Now we have solar refrigerators, so vaccines…, UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723177/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Evelyn Saro, midwife and manager of the Marantao Rural Health Center. UNIPH-2022-WPD-24, “Vaccines are important, antibodies are your body’s soldiers, your defense against any illness that may come,” says Evelyn Saro, midwife and manager of the Marantao Rural Health Center., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723255/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Alim Abdulrahman Poli, 43, a religious leader, at Mutilan Mosque. Alim Abdulrahman Poli, 43, a religious leader, inside a mosque. Dr. Princess Sacar, head of the Lanao Del Sur Provincial Health Office. Dr. Amador Catacutan, UNICEF’s immunization officer, checks a vaccine freezer The…, Nasima brings her 7-month-old son, Ziyad, for a check-up and routine immunization. She comforts and distracts Ziyad as the nurse administers the vaccination., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723235/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Junaira and her 4-month-old daughter, Riswanah UNIPH-2022-WPD-27, Junaira’s 4-month-old daughter, Riswanah, was feeling poorly today. She got checked over and has postponed her Pentavalent and Polio vaccines until next week when she is expected to be feeling better., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723245 Martin San Diego/Highway Child Abdulhakum brings her 9-month-old baby Zainuddin to the Marantao Rural Health Unit for routine vaccination and check-up. UNIPH-2022-WPD-28, 9-month-old baby Zainuddin receives two vaccines, protecting against 8 diseases, including Polio, Diptheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723240/Martin San Diego/Highway Child 9-month-old baby Zainuddin's father looks on while he is at the rural health unit with his mother Abdulhakum UNIPH-2022-WPD-29, Zainuddin’s father entertains him while the baby sits with his mother, Abdulhakum, to receive advice and services from the health team., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723242/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Anisa carrying her 1-month-old baby Asya UNIPH-2022-WPD-30, 1-month-old Asya is up-to-date with her vaccinations. At just a few weeks old, mother Anisa has brought her for a weekly, newborn check-up., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723244/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Nasima brings her 7-month-old baby, Ziyad, to the Marantao Rural Health Unit for routine checkup and immunization session. Junaira and her 4-month-old daughter, Riswanah Abdulhakum brings her 9-month-old baby Zainuddin to the Marantao Rural Health Unit for routine vaccination and check-…

Norsainah and Baniamen have four children. Alnur, 4, was hospitalized with measles when he was 10 months old. “We thought we were going to lose him,” says his mother, Norsainah. Babies born in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are more at risk from vaccine-preventable diseases in comparison to children in other parts of the…, Family portrait: Mother, Norsainah, and father, Baniamen, with their children Sudais, 2, Saimen, 7, and Saiben, 6, (from left to right), and Alnur, 4, at the front on his bike. Since Alnur was hospitalized with measles, all of the children have kept up-to-date with the recommended vaccination schedule., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723213/Martin San Diego/Highway Child A street scene in Marawi City, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao UNIPH-2022-WPD-7, Much of ‘Ground-Zero’ in Marawi City is yet to be rebuilt., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723288/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Baniamen fetches three of his children from school using his tricycle, which he also uses for work. UNIPH-2022-WPD-8, Baniamen takes his kids to school on the tricycle he uses for work. Alnur, 4, jumps on the back. It was difficult for the father to work during the crises. There were no customers during the siege and he couldn’t go out to work when Alnur was unwell., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723148/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Norsainah at home with two of her sons, Saimen, 7, and Saiben, 6. UNIPH-2022-WPD-9, Norsainah preparing a meal at home, pictured with sons, Saimen, 7, (left) and Saiben, 6, (center)., UNICEF and U.S. CDC/UN0723210/Martin San Diego/Highway Child Parents Norsainah and Baniamen with their children A street scene in Marawi City, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Baniamen fetches three of his children from school using his tricycle, which he also uses for work. Norsainah at home with two of her sons, Saimen, 7, and…

MANILA, 21 October 2022 – UNICEF Philippines, on the occasion of World Polio Day, revealed that the Philippines has 1 million children who have not received a single dose of childhood vaccine 1 . In 2021, Philippines was the top 5 contributor to the 18 million zero-dose children globally and the top 7 contributor with the most children unprotected…

Kailan ko kailangang umpisahan na pag-isipan at alagaan ang mental health ng baby ko? Paano ko mapapanatili ang positive mental health ng pamilya ko? Pakinggan si Dr. Lisa Damour, isang psychologist and child development expert: Hindi biro ang pag-aalaga ng sanggol. Nakakadama ng halo-halong emosyon ang mga magulang: Saya, frustration, pagod, kaba…, Malapit na akong maging magulang. Anong mga dapat kong i-expect pagdating sa mga emosyon at stress?, Ang pagiging bagong magulang ay isang major na pagbabago sa buhay. Ang bawat aspeto ng buhay mo ay mag-iiba. Nakadarama tayo ng stress tuwing kailangan nating harapin ang mga bago at hindi pamilyar na mga kondisyon, tulad ng pag-aadjust sa pagkakaroon ng sanggol. Kaya mag-expect ng stress, pero huwag masyadong mangamba. Magiging madali rin…, Kailan ko kailangang pag-isipan at alagaan ang mental health ng baby ko?, Kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin ang mental health ni baby simula sa pinaka-unang beses na makita at mahawakan mo siya. Sa simula palang, sayo siya kukuha ng pagmamahal, kaalaman at kaligtasan. Ang pag-aaruga mo sa kaniya; ang proteksyon na binibigay mo; ang pagkakalma sa kanya kapag siya ay umiiyak; ito ang mga paraan kung kailan mo inilalatag ang…, Paano na-a-apektukan ng stress ang emotional development ng anak ko?, Mayroong stress response na na-a-activate kapag natatakot ang mga babies; kapag nangangamba sila na makalimutan sila o na hindi mabigyan ng pansin ang pangangailangan nila. Ang trabaho ng mga magulang ay tulungang pakalmahin ang stress response ni baby. Kapag kumalma siya, everything goes back to normal at matututunan ni baby na ang mundo ay…, Paano ko matututunan magpakita ng pagmamahal sa anak ko kung hindi ko na-experience ito noong bata ako?, Mahirap ang pagiging magulang. Kailangan itong pag-aralang gawin. Maaari tayong maging magaling dito, basta’t mag-commit tayo. Ito ang mga paraan na makakatulong siguraduhing maibibigay mo sa iyong anak ang mga ninanais mong mga bagay na sana ay naibigay sayo noong bata ka: Maging attentive ka sa baby mo, bigyan ng atensyon at maging responsive sa…, Paano ko mapapanatili ang positive mental health ng pamilya ko?, Ayon sa deka-dekadang mga research, kailangan ng mga bata ang dalawang bagay na ito: Kailangan nila ng isang mapagmahal na tahanan kung saang ramdam nila na gusto sila ng mga kapamilya nila, at kailangan nila ng predictable na pamumuhay sa tahanan nila. Kailangang alam nila ang mga dapat i-expect, na magkaroon sila ng sense of structure at…, Okay lang ba na magpakita ng galit o lungkot sa harap ng baby ko?, Ikaw ang unang guro ng anak mo. Marami siyang matututunan sayo, kabilang na ang mga emosyon at damdamin. Kaya kapag may dinaramdam ka, lalo na yung mga masasakit, nanaisin mong pag-isipan kung paano mo ito i-e-express sa paraan na hindi overwhelming o nakakatakot sa iyong anak. Gugustuhin mo rin na gawing halimbawa kung paano mo na-ma-manage ang…, Ano ang dapat gawin kapag na-o-overwhelm?, Kailangang maglaan ng oras para i-manage ang stress. Maraming magagandang paraan para makayanang harapin at makontrol ang stress. Una, siguruhin na mayroon kang mabuting social support. Bawat isa sa atin ay kailangan ng masasabihan ng mga dinaramdam, at ng mga tao na makakapagparamdam na accepted at connected ka. Pangalawa, makakatulong rin ang…

Maganda man ang iyong connection at relasyon sa iyong teenager, o may mga challenges, importanteng iparamdam sa kanya ang iyong pagmamahal at suporta; na nandyan ka para sa kanya through the good and bad times. Here are four things to keep in mind when having that ‘how-are-you-doing?’ conversation with your teen and showing that you are always…, 1. Encourage them to share their feelings, Look for ways to check in with your teen. Kamusta ang araw niya? Ano ang kanyang pinagkakaabalahan? Ayain siya na magluto ng hapunan o kaya sumama mag-grocery para makapag-catch up ka tungkol sa araw niya. Remind them that you are there for them, no matter what. Na nandyan ka para makinig tungkol sa mga iniisip at mga nararamdaman niya. A few…, 2. Take the time to support them, Work together on setting up new routines and achievable daily goals. Pwedeng mag-set ng targets gaya ng pagtapos ng homework niya bago mag-dinner time. Adolescence means independence! Subukan mong bigyan siya ng Me time at personal space. Needing space is a normal part of growing up. Find a few ways you can support and encourage your teen to take…, 3. Work through conflict together, Listen to your teen’s views and try to sort out conflict calmly. Tandaan: lahat ng tao ay nakakaranas ng stress! Never discuss an issue while you are angry. Huminahon kapag mainit na ang ulo mo: dumistansya, huminga nang malalim, at kumalma — pag-usapan muli kapag ready na kayo pareho. Avoid power struggles. With the world feeling unpredictable…, 4. Care for yourself, Caregivers have a lot to deal with. You also need care and support for yourself. Ang pag-aalaga sa sarili ay isang magandang example sa iyong anak. Don’t wait to ask others for help if you are feeling overwhelmed. Normal at okay lang na mapagod at makaranas ng stress. Mag-open up sa kapamilya o kaibigan. Make time for your own relationships.…

5 November 2021, Manila – As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly swept across the world, pushing health systems to their limits dealing with an unknown disease, a silent pandemic of mental health conditions has intensified, especially among vulnerable groups including women and young people.  In the Philippines, a two-year joint programme called Project…

When her son JM first learned how to walk, Judith Waskin, 43, could hardly keep up with her baby. As JM learned to balance his steps, his feet quickly outpaced hers. Unlike other parents, Judith cannot playfully chase after her baby. To be a mother is challenging. To be a mother and a polio survivor like Judith, even more so. Judith caught polio…