In response to Making Pregnancy Safer, what are the current programs in the country to address maternal mortality and morbidity? Cite at least 1.
In line with the country’s goal of Making Pregnancy Safer, we currently have programs such as the National Safe Motherhood Program. It aims to provide Filipino women with full access to health services in order to make their pregnancy and delivery safer, by delivering reasonable and responsive policy direction to its local government partners in the provision of quality maternal and infant health services with integrity and honesty through the use of proven and innovative approaches.
Specifically, the program (1) collaborates with various LGUs to develop a sustainable and cost-effective approach to delivering adequate maternal and newborn health services, especially to disadvantaged women, ensuring safe birthing near their homes, and (2) establishes a core knowledge base and support systems to aid in the delivery of high-quality maternal and newborn health care in the country. The program includes identification of high-risk pregnancies during prenatal period, family planning counseling, expansion of service availability of post-partum FP, screenings (cervical cancer, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV), ensuring care continuum, implementation of evidence-based protocols, etc.
What can you suggest in order to decrease our maternal mortality and morbidity in the country? Give at least 3 suggestions.
- Ensure that proper education is provided to all women of childbearing age to promote safe and healthy conception, pregnancy, and delivery.
- Secure the availability of safe and non-stigmatized contraceptive use to help citizens avoid unwanted pregnancy.
- Promote the role of barangay health centers in assisting all women regarding their health concerns.
- Guarantee accessibility of safe and affordable health care services, especially maternal and newborn care.
- Provide free (or at least, affordable) supplements needed by pregnant women.
- Encourage participation of everyone in the community, especially immediate family members, in assisting and promoting the safety and health of all pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and newborns.
Reference
National Safe Motherhood Program. (2018, October 17). Retrieved from Department of Health: https://doh.gov.ph/national-safe-motherhood-program.