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.
To address maternal mortality and morbidity, the Department of Health (DOH) has issued Administrative Order 2008-0029 “Implementing Health Reforms for Rapid Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality”. This proposes an approach for rapidly lowering maternal and neonatal fatalities by providing a package of MNCHN (maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition) services. One of the sections in the MNCHN Strategy requires that “every birth delivery should be done by skilled birth attendants”. Studies reveal that the presence of skilled birth attendants aids in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, which is a primary cause of maternal death.
2. What can you suggest in order to decrease our maternal mortality and morbidity in the country? Give at least 3 suggestions.
Three suggested ways to decrease maternal mortality and morbidity in the country include 1) Making contraceptives free or more accessible, 2) Promoting sex education, and 3) Investing in prenatal care.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that contraceptive use likely prevents 272,000 maternal deaths from childbirth each year. They stressed the need to reinforce the acceleration of access to contraception in countries with a low prevalence of contraceptive use where gains in maternal mortality prevention could be greatest.
Promoting sex education teaches adults to be knowledgeable in avoiding having HIV, STD, and pregnancy.
Investing in prenatal care ensures the safety and health, not only of the growing baby, but also the mother.
REFERENCES:
DOH. (2011, March). MNCHN Strategy Manual of Operations. Department of Health, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2012, July 9). Contraceptive Use Averts 272,000 Maternal Deaths Worldwide. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2012/ahmed-contraception