Bringing Health Conversations Closer to Families
OZAMIZ CITY - The forum gave mothers from Ozamiz’s hinterland barangays a dedicated space to ask, listen, and learn about caring for their children. The activity covered timely immunization, breastfeeding, proper nutrition, developmental milestones, and keeping health records complete. Those subjects may sound familiar, but having health professionals explain them directly can help parents make better-informed decisions for their children. The forum also included the recognition of five “Most Healthy Babies,” with selection based on nutritional status, physical health, developmental milestones, immunization records, and other health information. The gathering therefore combined education with encouragement, showing mothers that regular attention to their children’s health can begin with simple, practical steps at home.
Immunization Takes Center Stage
Vaccination was an especially relevant subject for families in Ozamiz after the city joined Northern Mindanao’s measles-rubella immunization campaign earlier in 2026. In January, more than 100 mothers from Barangays Malaubang, Tinago, Bañadero, and Montol brought children aged 6 to 59 months to a supplementary immunization activity in Barangay Malaubang. The Philippine Information Agency reported that the campaign was supported by the Ozamiz City government, City Health Office, and provincial health authorities. Across Northern Mindanao, health officials have also stressed the importance of parents as partners in vaccination efforts. The July forum gives that message another community-level setting where parents can receive health information directly.
Knowledge That Can Follow a Child Home
The value of a health forum does not necessarily end when mothers leave the venue. Information about breastfeeding, nutritious food, vaccination schedules, and developmental milestones can become part of everyday decisions inside the household. Northern Mindanao’s health agencies have continued emphasizing these areas in 2026. The National Nutrition Council has encouraged parents to prepare balanced meals using variety, moderation, and balance, while also pointing families toward the Pinggang Pinoy guide. The NNC has also highlighted the importance of maternal and child nutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life. For Ozamiz mothers, the forum offers a practical opportunity to turn health information into routines that support their children’s growth.
