DOH-MIMAROPA heightens campaign for good health of pregnant women and their children

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=775205
• Tuesday, June 23, 2015

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), SCS/LSJ/EBP]

CULION, Palawan, June 23 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH)-MIMAROPA conducted its regional version of "Buntis Congress" on Tuesday at the island municipality of Culion, Palawan to highlight its campaign in ensuring that pregnant women and those within the reproductive age will get the appropriate services to keep them healthy and away from the verge of death.

A total of 400 reproductive age women were provided with free health services such as pre-natal check-up, vitamins and counseling by DOH health workers and partners.

Among the free health packages provided to pregnant women were blood testing, preventive dental health services, ultrasound testing, and urine screening.

"Buntis or pregnancy kits" and malaria nets were also distributed by personnel of the Population Commission who also shared information about family planning methods that can be used by families who want to plan the number of their children.

According to DOH-MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo, the conduct of the "Buntis Congress" has been conceptualized to ensure that all pregnant mothers in the MIMAROPA region who are living in difficult-to-reach areas will be aware of how they can access the available services offered by DOH.

MIMAROPA region consists of the island provinces of Mindoro (Occidental/Oriental), Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

Director Janairo noted that being aware of the available health services to pregnant mothers can pave the way for sure and safe motherhood while protecting their children afterwards.

"The Buntis Congress aims to increase the knowledge, attitude and skills of pregnant mothers as part of the efforts in giving priority to maternal and child care interventions," said Dr. Janairo.

Through the conduct of the congress, pregnant mothers are given reminders on avoiding pregnancy complications that may put not only their own lives to risk but also their babies.

Among the reminders are having regular check-up, taking care of their oral health and giving birth in a hospital facility.

The DOH is giving a boost on maternal and child care and health as one of its priority programs in line with the goal of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin earlier announced that the conduct of nationwide "Buntis Congress" is included in the DOH's Hi-5 Program or High-Impact Breakthrough Strategies to ensure the attainment of universal health care as envisioned by the Aquino administration’s straight path of good governance.

The strategies consist of reduction of infant mortality rate by 20 percent; lowering under-five mortality rate by 22 percent; reducing maternal mortality rate by 57 percent; halting Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) by 40 percent; and increasing the service delivery networks in poor communities.

The Hi-5 Program aims to ensure that the Aquino administration will fulfill its promise of better health care services under its universal health care agenda.

With the conduct of the "Buntis Congress," DOH officials want to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality rates. In doing so, they have engaged the participation of local government units (LGUs) in the region of MIMAROPA as active partners.

According to Dr. Faith Felipe Alberto, DOH-MIMAROPA Assistant Regional Director, there were 12 maternal deaths in Palawan from January to June of this year.

Such deaths were due to various contributing factors such as internal hemorrhage or bleeding suffered by mothers while being transported to the hospital facility, especially those from the far islands.

Dr. Alberto said they discourage women from giving birth through "hilot" or traditional midwives as there are some functions that cannot be performed by them, especially if there are birth complexities.