1. In response to Making Pregnancy Safer, what are the current programs in the country to address maternal mortality and morbidity? Cite at least 1.
Safe Motherhood Program - The aim of the National Safe Motherhood Program is on women's health and well-being during their pregnancy. It also prioritizes adolescent pregnant women and women's unmet needs for contraception for family planning until 2030. The goal of this initiative is to give high-quality healthcare to Filipino women so that they can have a safer pregnancy and delivery. Its goal is to improve the health and well-being of Filipino mothers.
Maternal Nutrition Program - This program was established by Nutritional International (NI) that aims to address pregnancy problems relating to nutrient deficiencies. This program is executed in collaboration with the Department of Heal-Family Health Office (DOH-FHO) and National Nutrition Council (NNC), the health and nutrition offices at the regional, provincial, and municipal levels, Helen Keller International, and UNICEF in 45 different municipalities in seven provinces of Antique, Bohol, Camarines Norte, Cebu, Iloilo, and Zamboanga del Norte. NI has been funding maternal nutrition programs in the country since 2016 and continues to do so.
References:
DOH. nd. Safe Motherhood Program. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/safe-motherhood-program
WHO. nd. Nutrition International - Philippines - Maternal Nutrition Program. https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/26253
2. What can you suggest in order to decrease our maternal mortality and morbidity in the country? Give at least 3 suggestions.
Easy Access to Quality Healthcare - Generally speaking many Filipinos still do not have access to quality and affordable healthcare most especially those people in the unprivileged sector of the society. Pregnant mothers tend to not consult healthcare professionals because of financial problems or the distance to a medical/healthcare facility. With this, Filipino mothers often consult albularyos or quack doctors that can lead to serious health problems. The government must provide free consultation, medication, and supplements to Filipino mothers. Moreover, healthcare facilities employed with healthcare professionals should be established most especially in far-flung areas.
Health Education - In connection with access to healthcare, health education should be implemented most especially at the community level. Many Filipino mothers are misinformed about the healthy and proper ways to follow during pregnancy as they tend to follow unhealthily and improper ways in maternal care. There should be seminars and symposiums to be conducted about safe motherhood in order to educate mothers.
Stronger implementation of the Reproductive Health Law - The government should see to it that this law is properly implemented. This law promotes, protects, and fulfills women's health and rights. Moreover, family planning such as contraceptives should be readily available to people in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies most especially to teenagers who are not ready to have children.