In response to Making Pregnancy Safer, what are the current programs in the country to address maternal mortality and morbidity? Cite at least 1.
- One program in the country that seeks to address maternal mortality and morbidity is the National Safe Motherhood Program of the Department of Health. This program aims to be establish sustainable and cost-effective health services that are accessible to disadvantaged women and enable them to access quality maternal and newborn health services that would lead to positive pregnancy outcomes. This program also ensures that these women could a safe delivery in health facilities which are near their own homes. Through collaboration with local government units (LGUs), the Department of Health seek to establish local delivery of the maternal-newborn service package, national capacity to sustain maternal-newborn services, as well as address critical reproductive health concerns, including the control of sexually transmitted infections and mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
What can you suggest in order to decrease our maternal mortality and morbidity in the country? Give at least 3 suggestions.
In order to decrease the country’s maternal mortality and morbidity, I would suggest the following.
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Ensure universal access to quality healthcare services. Maternal mortality and morbidity rate in our country is exacerbated by the citizen’s lack of access to quality healthcare services. More often than not, the lack of health-seeking behaviors among Filipino women is rooted to the financial constraints due to expensive medical costs and the health facilities being out of reach especially in rural communities or far-flung areas. Hence, it is greatly necessary that the government to offer its citizens affordable, easily accessible, and high-quality healthcare services.
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Continuous support from the country’s government. Although much can be done to decrease the maternal mortality and morbidity in the country, it cannot be done without the support of the government. Financial constraints remain a hindrance to the health—seeking behaviors of members of the community. If the government could ensure its constituents that the funding for the healthcare sector is enough, Filipino women wouldn’t have to worry about not seeking care due to the cost of health facilities or the medicines.
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Reproductive health education in schools and communities. With the proper implementation of a reproductive health education in schools and communities, teenagers may even become more aware of safe sexual practices, which could reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STDs, and protect the mother and the child from infectious diseases.
References:
Department of Health. (2018). National safe motherhood program. https://doh.gov.ph/national-safe-motherhood-program