DOH seeks zero stunted children in PH in 2026

The Department of Health (DOH) said Monday that among their priorities to address this year is the stunting among children. 

“May tatlo akong tinutok kay President nung nag-meeting kami. Number one, nutrition. Sabi ko kailangan mawala yung 23% na stunted na batang Pilipino. Sabi ko hindi acceptable sa akin na 23%, that is one in five kids na brain stunting,” said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. 

(I focused on three things for the President during our meeting. Number one: nutrition. I said the 23% stunting rate among Filipino children needs to disappear. I said that 23% is not acceptable to me—that is one in five kids with brain stunting.) 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stunting refers to when a child's physical and mental development is hindered by malnutrition, frequent illness, and a lack of proper environmental stimulation. 

The WHO added that a child is classified as stunted if their height is significantly lower than the global average for their age, specifically falling more than two standard deviations below the WHO benchmark.

Further, the DOH is also seeking to address immunization among children. 

“Yung immunization kasi andaming batang namamatay pa from bronchopneumonia dahil lang hindi sila nadala ng nanay nila sa bakuna. Pero meron naman tayong binibiling kumpletong bakuna,” Herbosa added. 

(Regarding immunization, so many children are still dying from bronchopneumonia simply because their mothers weren't able to bring them for vaccinations. But we do have a complete supply of vaccines being purchased.) 

The DOH also said they want to prioritize funding for primary healthcare, particularly in disease prevention. 

“So nakita ko na kung magtutok tayo sa disease prevention, health promotion, increase the health literacy of the Filipino, mura na siya, mas makakatipid pa tayo kasi hindi ka na mao-ospital,” said Herbosa. 

(So I see that if we focus on disease prevention, health promotion, and increasing the health literacy of the Filipino, it’s not only affordable, but we will actually save more money because you won't end up in the hospital.) 

For instance, the DOH chief cited preventive measures against diabetes to lessen individuals undergoing kidney dialysis. 

“80% ng nagda-dialysis nanggaling yan sa diabetes. Yung diabetes pwede nating ma-prevent kung bata ka pa lang ma-prevent ka from being obese or mahilig sa matamis…Kung ma-prevent natin ang Filipinos from getting diabetes, ay kakaunti ang magkakaroon ng renal care,” said Herbosa. 

(80% of those undergoing dialysis started with diabetes. Diabetes can be prevented if—while you are still young—you are prevented from becoming obese or having a fondness for sweets... If we can prevent Filipinos from getting diabetes, fewer people will require renal care.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News