CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines (PIA) — The infant mortality rate in Cebu last year decreased in number compared to other regions, with only six to seven cases against 1,000 live births, according to the Department of Health (DoH) in Region 7.

“In general, infant health status in Cebu is improving. But we should not take this for granted because of climate change which also affects our immune system,” said DoH 7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta Madarieta.

Even if child mortality rate has declined in Cebu, Madarieta said mothers and caregivers must continue to be vigilant in checking the health status of their children, and to always avail of the health services offered by the government.

She attributed said decline to the government’s health programs, particularly the “Garantisadong Pambata” (GP) Program, as major factors in improving the health status of infants.

The GP Program reduces the mortality in children aged five years old and below through the provision of comprehensive health services such as immunization on oral polio vaccination (OPV), diphtheria pertussis and tetanus (DPT), baccilli, calmett and guerin (BCG) and Vitamin A supplementation.

Health interventions are also given emphasis under the GP Program including skilled attendance during pregnancy, newborn breastfeeding and complementary feeding; micronutrient supplementation and deworming.