In response to Making Pregnancy Safer, what are the current programs in the country to address maternal mortality and morbidity? Cite at least 1.
Despite the resources available in the country, our government tries hard to achieve “Making Pregnancy Safer”. As such, DOH implemented the Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Strategy to rapidly reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.
Other than the aforementioned strategy, DOH also implemented the following:
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National Safe Motherhood Program
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For Filipino women to have full access to health services towards making their pregnancy and delivery safer.
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National Family Planning Program
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For Filipino women and men achieve their desired family size and fulfill reproductive health and rights for all through universal access to quality family planning information and services.
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Unang Yakap: Essential Newborn Care (ENC)
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ENC’s goal is to help save the lives of pregnant women and children. It is a simple cost-effective newborn care intervention that can improve neonatal as well as maternal care.
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Micronutrient Supplementation Program
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Micronutrient deficiencies can cause intergenerational consequences. The level of health care and nutrition that women receive before and during pregnancy, at childbirth and immediately postpartum has significant bearing on the survival, growth and development of their fetus and newborn.
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What can you suggest in order to decrease our maternal mortality and morbidity in the country? Give at least 3 suggestions.
Some of the suggestions I can provide are health education on the aforementioned programs, especially in urban poor communities that might have a lack of healthcare access and knowledge. The National Safe Motherhood Program is an essential program to address maternal mortality and morbidity; however, if the population is unaware of the services it provides, then it won’t be implemented to its full potential. Such is the same with the Micronutrient Supplementation Program.
Next, advocate for the safe and increased use of contraceptives. Family planning is an integral part of protecting Filipino women against maternal mortality and morbidity. As community health nurses, it is our duty to educate women on reproductive ages (15-29) on the importance of contraceptives, not only for protection, but also to ensure good pregnancy once the right time comes.
Lastly, recommend to LGUs and healthcare facilities the increased availability of antibiotics, blood transfusions, and treatments for complications for greater access. This would obviously lessen maternal morbidity and mortality caused by prenatal illnesses such as hemorrhage, and other aggravating illnesses like hypertension that might affect the health of the mother and newborn. Easy access and affordable acquisition of supplements and medications for pregnant women would have a significant impact on the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality.
References:
Department of Health. (2011). The MNCHN Manual of Operations 2011. Department of Health (Second). Department of Health, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/MNCHNMOPMay4withECJ.pdf.
Department of Health. (2018, October 17). National Safe Motherhood Program. National Safe Motherhood Program | Department of Health website. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/national-safe-motherhood-program
Department of Health. (n.d.). Micronutrient supplementation program. Micronutrient Supplementation Program | Department of Health website. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/micronutrient-program
Department of Health. (n.d.). National Family Planning Program. National Family Planning Program | Department of Health website. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/family-planning
Department of Health. (n.d.). Unang Yakap (Essential Newborn Care: Protocol for New Life). Unang Yakap (Essential Newborn Care: Protocol for New Life) | Department of Health website. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://doh.gov.ph/unang-yakap