LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — In line with the celebration of National Women’s Month 2025, the La Trinidad Municipal Health Services Office (MHSO) conducted Buntis Congress 2025 with the theme “Empowering Mental Health for Mommy and Baby.”
The event was part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) breakthrough strategies to improve maternal health and reduce maternal and infant mortality by the year 2030 through innovative activities on mental health, nutrition, breastfeeding, reproductive health, and family planning.
This yearly activity aims to increase the knowledge of pregnant women about safe motherhood and provide antenatal services that may not yet be available or have financial difficulty availing from health facilities.
Priority target populations for this activity were teenage pregnant women, primipara (first time pregnant), those in their first trimester, and those identified as high-risk pregnancy.
“It’s a DOH program na binababa sa ating LGU para sa mga buntis, mainly. So, different services for them to prevent ‘yung mga complications ng pagbubuntis nila. And then, we are trying also to empower itong mga kababaihan natin, we are raising awareness, iyong mga complications ng pregnancy, so that they could pass on sa mga kakilala nila,” La Trinidad MSHO Medical Officer III Dr. Analyn Namoro said.
The program started with health promotion lectures such as maternal mental health disorders, maternal relaxation techniques, First 1000 Days of Life, and breastfeeding.
Alongside the essential prenatal services offered are nutrition and iodine salt distribution, oral health care, health screening, pelvic ultrasound, micronutrient supplement, consultation for high-risk pregnancies and referral services. Buntis Kits were also given to the first 100 pregnant women attendees.
It was also a pamper day for the expectant mothers.
“Nagkakaroon po ako ng awareness sa mental health problems, yung knowledge din po na e-earn ko during dito eh mai-apply ko po sa akin.. nagkakaroon din po ng privilege ko na ma-ano yung mga services nila para sa akin and para sa baby ko. Mas advantage samin na may libreng kina-conduct [tulad] nito,” said Frecian Echane, a beneficiary.
The La Trinidad MHSO upholds its support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG No. 3, which focuses on ensuring good health and promoting the well-being of all ages. (JDP/Je Marie Dannang-PIA CAR-SLU Intern)
