QuestionsQuestions (PROCLAMATION NO. 1066)
It is an executive issuance by the President declaring a national Neonatal Tetanus Elimination campaign, issued by virtue of the President’s constitutionally vested powers and to coordinate government action. It enjoins LGUs and directs DOH and other sectors to implement and support the campaign.
It addresses neonatal tetanus as a major threat to children’s lives. The proclamation states it is preventable through vaccination of women before childbirth, and that the tetanus vaccine is safe, effective, and inexpensive.
It cites the 1989 World Health Assembly call for a worldwide elimination of neonatal tetanus (NT).
LGUs—specifically the province and city levels—are directed to take the lead in implementing NT elimination strategies: identify high-risk areas, determine reasons the problems persist, conduct IEC, monitor and sustain TT protection among women of child-bearing age, and monitor NT elimination impact statistics.
By considering (1) high number of NT cases, (2) low TT vaccination coverage of women (at least 2 doses before delivery), (3) high presence of traditional birth attendants (hilots), especially untrained hilots indicating unclean births, and (4) absence of available data on these factors.
At least two (2) doses of tetanus toxoid (TT) before delivery of the baby.
IEC is required to clarify and plan community-wide interventions such as immunization of others and women, addressing community understanding and cooperation.
It requires LGUs to monitor and sustain anti-tetanus protection among women of child-bearing age, i.e., ensure continuing preventive vaccination coverage.
LGUs must monitor the impact of NT elimination statistics, i.e., track whether newborn deaths from neonatal tetanus are decreasing.
DOH is to define the details of the NT Elimination campaign and coordinate and establish necessary linkages.
Other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civic and religious groups, professional groups, and other private sectors.
The proclamation states the campaign and collaboration shall continue until newborns no longer die from neonatal tetanus in the Philippines.
It notes NT is reduced overall to 1 case per 1000 live births per year in the Philippines, but not in each province, city, or municipality—implying uneven risk requiring targeted action.
It treats lack of data as a risk indicator, implying that if vaccination coverage or birth practices data are missing, the area may still be vulnerable and must be prioritized for intervention.
It emphasizes the high presence of hilots, especially untrained hilots, which may correlate with unclean births and thus higher risk of infection leading to neonatal tetanus.
It is targeted at provinces and cities with reported NT cases, with LGUs identifying specific high-risk areas within those jurisdictions.
By enjoining LGUs, it signals an expectation of mandatory compliance within the limits of administrative policy and coordination, directing specific actions by government units as part of a national health campaign.