June 23 to 30, 2012

Maternal deaths rising, 

not in San Carlos

Despite Department of Health Sec. Enrique Ona's report of increasing maternal death rate nationwide, San Carlos City keeps the figure at bay.

Based on the recently released 2011 Family Health Survey, maternal deaths in the Philippines increased from 162 to 221 between the years 2006 to 2011. But in the city, City Health Office (CHO) records show that since 2006, when the most number of maternal deaths was recorded at four, the figure is steadily declining. The following year, CHO department head Dr. Arniel Lawrence Portuguez said the city was commended by DOH Region VI for achieving zero maternal death.

In 2008 and 2009, there had only been two deaths of mothers while giving birth. Last year, only one case was recorded and since January to press time, there is no mortality among expentant mothers yet.

DOH is strengthening its campaign to radically reduce the rate of maternal and infant death in order to reach the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by 2015.  Based on the MDG, every nation has to reduce maternal death per annum by three-fourth and  achieve only 27 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. 147 heads of state endorsed thes goals in September 2001.

Why?

Ona pointed that the bleak figures for mothers is due to the neglect of health services for the poor in the past decade, added to this is the poor family planning program for the underprivileged. The health secretary added that six million Filipino women reported that they have "unmet needs for modern family planning." Two million of these women are considered poor.

Local scenario

In San Carlos, mother's lives are saved while giving birth due to CHO's extensive campaign against home-based delivery or delivery aided by locals known as mananabang or hilot. Portuguez said that instead of eliminating the role of these traditional though unlicensed midwives, they were turned into partners of professional health service providers in barangay centers. They would accompany women about to give birth to professional midwives.

The city health chief emphasized that most maternal and infant deaths are due to inexpert handling during and after delivery, and to lack of proper pre-natal care for mothers who are either too young or too old that risks of complications are not monitored. Thus, CHO's mandate is facility-based delivery where doctors, nurses and midwives take care of both the mother and child. There are 28 barangay health centers in San Carlos with facilities and equipment for normal delivery.

Secondary to this is the extensive drive for all pregnant mothers to undergo pre-natal check-up and monitoring at barangay health centers to determine pre-existing conditions during pregnancy. He added that pre-natal care is free in health centers and even the San Carlos City Hospital (SCCH) gives this for free every week to enrolled indigent pregnant women.

A matter of budget

At the national level, Ona outlined the solution. He said that P500 M will be allocated for family planning commodities and supplies; P 868 M will be for the deployment of health teams to give families health information; P 6 B will be given to various local government units to upgrade clinics and hospitals; and the enrollment of about 5.3 M families to Philhealth in 2011 alone using P 12 B worth in premium subsidies.

Infant deaths

In terms of infant deaths, the figure is also plummeting both locally and nationally. From 31 and 30 in 2006 and 2007, respectively, the lowest figure was achieved in 2010 with only nine infant (0 to 12 months) deaths. Last year, only 10 deaths were recorded.

The national survey counted a decline from 32 to 30 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Birthing clinic

Along with the CHO's existing programs for mothers and children, Portuguez added that he is now working at opening a free birthing clinic at the new CHO building (former fish market). He said that there is already room for the clinic but instruments are still not enough and there is a need for the city to add staff, mid-wife and doctors to manage the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, CHO is yet to apply for Philhealth accreditation so mothers who will give birth at normal conditions will not only enjoy free services but will also be able to receive their premiums and benefits.