PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) MIMAROPA looks into the establishment of facilities near indigenous communities and prioritizing ultrasound machines as interventions to address the increasing trend of maternal deaths in the region.
Regional Director Mario Baquilod of DOH Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) MIMAROPA said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, July 2, that most maternal mortality arises in geographically isolated and disadvantaged regions (GIDAs), where mothers continue to give birth to their children in their houses using traditional practices.
“Unfortunately, may reports tayo na yong ating maternal deaths, we are seeing cases lalo na sa hard-to-reach areas. We are trying to support itong ating mga birthing station, we continuously do the training sa ultrasound, isa sa mga equipment na we are prioritizing para makatulong sa ating mga health workers,” he said.
Dr. Mathew Medrano, Family Health Cluster head, said that the current maternal mortality ratio in Mimaropa is 92 per 100,000 population.
Despite the increase observed since 2016, Medrano believes that initiatives such as the establishment of facilities near indigenous communities will help prevent maternal deaths in the region.
“We are seeing an increasing trend, but the program is looking for ways on how we can improve the services especially for the indigenous population. One of the concerns is access to health care facilities,” he said.
The Department extends support to the initiatives of the local government units in providing birthing facilities, such as in Puerto Galera, that are particularly designed for members of the indigenous communities.
Baquilod also underscored the need for pregnant women to undergo prenatal consultations to see if their pregnancy would be high-risk.
“We are encouraging, ito ay kasama sa 4Ps na ang pregnant women ay magkakaroon sila ng prenatal consultation. At least three prenatal consultation para ma-detect kung high-risk pregnancy na kailangan hospital dapat, na huwag na hintayin magkaroon ng labor,” he said.
Baquilod and Medrano are among the resource persons from the DOH-CHD MIMAROPA during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, organized by the Presidential Communications Office and implemented by the Philippine Information Agency. The event was conducted in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
