By Mai Gevera

Davao City (15 October) -- The second leg of the Garantisadong Pambata services is being offered this week in various government health centers.

Free routine immunization for 0 to 11 months and 12 to 23 months can be availed for free in health centers. Children aging 6 to 71 months are also given free vitamin A capsules as well as deworming tablets.

These services are offered as the Department of Health celebrates the Preschoolers Health Week or more popularly known as Garantisadong Pambata (GP).

DOH offered eight interventions namely skilled attendance during pregnancy, delivery and immediate post-partum; care of newborn; breastfeeding and complementary feeding; micronutrient supplementation and deworming; immunization of children and mothers; integrates management of sick children; injury prevention and control; and birth spacing.

Figures showed that the total under 5-year old deaths in the country is pegged at 42 per 1000 live births. Deaths are caused by neonatal-related factors, pneumonia, and diarrhea; some by injuries and measles.

However, undernutrition accounts more than half of all child deaths.

This pushed the DOH to come up with existing low-cost, low-technology and high impact interventions that can prevent under-5 as well as maternal deaths and reduce nutrition.