Neg. Occ. celebrates Safe Motherhood Week
BACOLOD CITY -- To safeguard the health and safety of pregnant women in the province, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental through its Provincial Health Office (PHO) will launch a “Buntis Party” in line with the national celebration of the Safe Motherhood Week tomorrow, May 14 at the Municipality of Moises Padilla.
The PHO in collaboration with the Department of Health and the city and municipal governments, aim to implement an awareness campaign informing women about the importance of giving birth in a health facility with skilled health professionals such as doctors, nurses and midwives.
A total of 80 pregnant mothers from the 15 barangays of the municipality are expected to join the day-long event with the theme: “Una sa Lahat, Ligtas na Panganganak, Manganak Lamang sa Ospital o Health Center.”
According to the PHO’s report of 2008, the number of pregnant women who gave birth in a health facility was raised to 11, 323 or 53.01% as compared to the 19, 763 or 45.03% of 2007.
With this program, the PHO intends to encourage all pregnant women to go to a health facility as soon as they know they are pregnant and have a Birth and Emergency Plan which they can prepare with the assistance of a health center staff.
Pre-natal check ups should also be done at least once during the first three months of pregnancy, at least once during the second three months and at least twice during the last three months.
The PHO signifies that it is beneficial to deliver in a health facility because of the availability of needed equipment, supplies, drugs; the presence of trained health professionals and facilitation of early and exclusive breastfeeding. Pregnant mothers need also to look out for danger signs of pregnancy such as edema, spotting or bleeding, and high blood pressure which can lead to risky pregnancy or delivery.
The practice of such empowers the thrust of the DOH and of the provincial government’s health program in ensuring that every pregnancy is planned and supported; every pregnancy is adequately managed; every delivery is done in a health facility and managed by skilled health professionals; and every mother and baby is provided with proper post-partum and post-natal care.