PHILHEALTH CIRCULAR NO. 26, S. 2005

: The main objective of Republic Act 7600, known as The Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, is to encourage, promote, and support breastfeeding for the health of the newborn and the mother.
: PhilHealth required its accredited hospitals to be 'Mother-Baby Friendly Hospitals' as a prerequisite for accreditation.
: Being a 'Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital' ensures compliance with RA 7600, promoting breastfeeding and rooming-in practices that support the health of mothers and newborns.
: Tertiary hospitals were first required to comply starting October 2005.
: Secondary and primary hospitals operating delivery rooms must comply by January 2006.
: Hospitals that fail to comply may be found in violation of RA 7600 and face denial of PhilHealth accreditation.
: The Philippines supports the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
: Breastfeeding is essential because it is the most inexpensive and practical means of feeding the newborn and is beneficial to the health of both newborn and mother.
: PhilHealth Circular No. 26, S. 2005, adopted on October 11, 2005, officially set the requirement.
: Hospitals are expected to implement rooming-in and breastfeeding support practices as per RA 7600.