The City Health Office (CHO), in partnership with the Department of Health XI, continues to advocate for the early consultation of pregnant women to curb cases of maternal deaths.
The CHO and DOH XI conducted on May 23 the Safe Motherhood Week Celebration at PRRD Building J. P. Laurel Ave. Davao City, which was participated in by 95 pregnant women from Agdao, Sasa, and Buhangin.
CHO Technical Division Head Julinda Acosta said that the activity gave importance to mothers.
“Dako kayo ni’g tabang sa atong buntis na nanay kay naa ta’y mga expert nga resource speakers nga naghatag sa ilang impormasyon unsa ang bantayan kung sila magbuntis, unsa ang peligro og mga senyales sa ilang pagbutis nga kung ma feel nila, makit-an nila mag seek sila’g early consultation (This activity is a great help to our pregnant mothers because we have experts and resource speakers that gave information about the things that they should check when they are pregnant, the dangers, and the signs that if they feel or see, will prompt them to seek early consultation),” Acosta said.
She said that they have invited clients from health centers all over Davao City.
She underscored the importance of prenatal check-ups in health centers and hospitals for them to know their health status and their child’s health status.
“Dili nato usahay ma predict ang posible nga complications sa atong pregnancy or pagpanganak kaya kailangan talaga ta nga sa health facility manganak para maagapan simbako naa’y complications or kung naa’y emergency, matagaan dayon og emergency response (Sometimes we cannot predict the possible complications of pregnancy that is why the birth should be done in a health facility so that in case there are complications, or if there is any emergency, they will immediately be given emergency response),” Acosta said.
She said that their goal is to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and promote child survival.
According to Southern Philippines Medical Center Medical Specialist III- OB-GYN Dr. Mary Jean Logico-Bergona, at SPMC, the mortality rate among mothers is 82 out of 1,000 live births.
Bergona said that the most common causes of maternal death are cardiac problems, postpartum hemorrhage, and hypertensive disorders.
She added that these deaths could be preventable by early consultation, especially for those with cardiac problems.
“At least nakabalo na sila daan kung naa sila’y sakit, and early sila marefer sa cardio nga doctor and ma-manage siya as high-risk pregnancy (At least they will know if they have an illness, and they will be referred to doctors, and their pregnancy will be managed as a high-risk pregnancy),” Bergona said, adding that the consultation also allows longer preparation for mothers.
“Important ang pre-natal check-up para makabalo ka sa situation sa pag buntis, unsa nga vitamins ang i-take, and ma-explainan pud siya about sa iyang status (Having pre-natal check-up is important so that the situation of the pregnant mother will be determined, what vitamins should be taken, and her status will also be explained to her),” Bergona said, adding that pregnant mothers should not wait for their health problems to become serious and solutions should be sought or done immediately. CIO
