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In response to Making Pregnancy Safer, what are the current programs in the country to address maternal mortality and morbidity? Cite at least 1.
The Department of Health developed a program called National Safe Motherhood Program which aims to assist Filipino Women in accessing health services that could make their pregnancies and deliveries safer. It advocates safe motherhood, including reproductive health, quality maternal-newborn services, and skills training. This preventive and promotive program focuses on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity that coincides with the SDG -3 by determining the factors causing it and at the same time addressing it.
2. What can you suggest in order to decrease our maternal mortality and morbidity in the country? Give at least 3 suggestions.
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Free Health Education/Teaching - Education is essential to inform Filipino Women about pregnancy. It is vital to keep them well-informed, especially their nutritional status, and address it. Health teaching would be one way to help pregnant mothers to maintain a healthy pregnancy and produce positive health outcomes not just for them but also for the fetus. Moreover, training “manghihilot” can help promote safe deliveries for women who choose to have home births. Being skilled can reduce risks for both the mother and the child. Aside from that, sex education should be normalized and taught. Safe sex can avoid unwanted pregnancies and protect both parties from infections. As mentioned, unwanted pregnancies and/or teenage pregnancies are one of the causes of unsafe abortion, which is illegal in this country.
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Increase funding for health - Enough funds are needed to provide quality health care facilities, equipment, and supplies. Also, free consultation services should be given to Filipino women to enhance their eagerness to seek medical advice. In addition, it would provide them with knowledge for their health. This way, they can know all the information that would put them at risk. With enough budget, health care facilities should be accessible to those in underprivileged areas. This would help them to access health care and reduce complications throughout pregnancy. Access to medication and family planning would also be a way to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. Woman needs to receive enough supplements and proper medication to support her pregnancy.
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Postpartum Counseling - One of the causes of maternal mortality is postpartum hemorrhage. This life-threatening condition should also be addressed to reduce maternal mortality. Counseling is important for new moms because they are at risk of serious complications. Furthermore, counseling may promote recovery and inhibit anxiety.
References:
Department of Health. (n.d.). National Safe Motherhood Program. Department of Health website. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/national-safe-motherhood-program