-
Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?
Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the availability of reproductive health services for families; in the Philippines, these indirect effects significantly impacted the annual number of maternal deaths. Maternal deaths in the country have risen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Commission on Population (PopCom). Its executive director, Juan Antonio Perez III, suggested that the increase in maternal mortality was not due to the complications from COVID itself but the effect of COVID on the overall health care system of the Philippines. The pandemic has crippled most hospitals and health care facilities to the point that they could no longer accommodate additional patients. As a result, pregnant women had to be shuffled around from one hospital to the next, searching for a place to give birth. Furthermore, most healthcare facilities cannot accommodate pregnant women who require more specialized care. This rise in maternal mortality may also be attributed to the government’s underwhelming response to the pandemic.
-
What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?
According to the Department of Health (2013), the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines are the following:
-
Complications related to pregnancy occuring in the course of labor, delivery and puerperium
-
Hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium
-
Postpartum hemorrhage
Meanwhile, the top 3 maternal morbidities are:
-
Hemorrhage
-
Infections
-
Unsafe Abortions
References
Jaymalin, M. (2021, May 4). Popcom sees higher maternal mortality. Philstar.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/05/2095970/popcom-sees-higher-maternal-mortality
Maternal deaths by main cause: Department of health website. Maternal Deaths By Main Cause | Department of Health website. (2013). Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/Statistics/Maternal-Deaths-By-Main-Cause
Significant rise in maternal deaths and unintended pregnancies feared because of COVID-19, UNFPA and Uppi Study shows. UNFPA Philippines. (2020, August 15). Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://philippines.unfpa.org/en/news/significant-rise-maternal-deaths-and-unintended-pregnancies-feared-because-covid-19-unfpa-and