More than 19,000 women provided with life-changing maternal and health information
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that around 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day. Most of these cases happen in developing countries like the Philippines where there are inadequate healthcare services for mothers, especially in poor communities.
The Philippines was unable to reach its Millenium Development Goal of reducing its maternal mortality to 52 from 162 per 100,000 live births in 2015. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the failure to achieve this goal is due to factors such as the delay in reaching appropriate centers and in seeking medical help among many pregnant women, and the delay in providing healthcare to them.
Today, one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is helping the DOH meet this goal through the conduct of safe motherhood caravans across the country.
PBSP’S SAFE MOTHERHOOD CARAVAN educates women of reproductive age on responsible parenthood, family planning, and maternal and child health.
Dubbed as “Babae: Malusog. Ligtas. Handa,” the Safe Motherhood Program is one of PBSP’s flagship programs that aims to educate women of reproductive age (WRAs) on life-saving maternal and child health information such as pre- and post-natal consultations, facility-based delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, responsible parenthood, and family planning.
Since 2015, the Safe Motherhood Caravan has assisted around 19, 479 WRAs in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The caravans also encourage women to access quality healthcare services to help them be prepared before, during, and after pregnancy.
CHANGED BEHAVIOR
In Luzon, PBSP partnered with its member companies and Manila Health Department to cater to the needs of the needs of mothers, especially in poor communities in Manila.
“Before PBSP implemented the Safe Motherhood Caravan, mothers were hesitant to go to clinics for check-ups during their pregnancies. This is especially the case for teenage mothers who feel shy about their situation,” said Dr. Rosalina Roque-Tan, Chief of the Manila Health Department’s Division of Maternal and Child Health.
Thankfully, the caravans were able to educate mothers on Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) services and family health discussions.
BECOMING BETTER MOTHERS – Mothers from the Icasiano Health Center and Lying-in Clinic in Sta. Ana, Manila attend PBSP’ Safe Motherhood Caravan to learn about family planning, responsible parenthood, and life-saving information on maternal and child health.
“Mothers now are more knowledgeable about maternal health and family planning. We also saw an increase in the number of facility-based deliveries and couples availing of family planning services,” said Roque-Tan.
The caravans also discuss the risks of teenage pregnancies and advocates responsible parenthood to avoid pregnancies among teenagers.
“The caravans help us lessen the risk of teenage pregnancies and the mothers gain knowledge on birth spacing. As women, it is important that they know how to be responsible for their health especially when they are pregnant,” said Dr. Melanie Mateo, physician-in-charge of Icasiano Health Center and Lying-in Clinic.
REACHING OUT TO MORE WOMEN
This year, PBSP will conduct 25 Safe Motherhood Caravans nationwide. It will also conduct the “Usapang Barkadahan” for the youth sector.
The Usapang Barkadahan aims to educate the youth on reproductive health, sexuality, and the risks of teenage pregnancies. The session hopes to discourage teenagers from engaging in premarital sex and at the same time, inform teenage mothers on safe motherhood and responsible parenthood.
Meanwhile, there will also be a facilitators training on safe motherhood for partner-youth groups. The training will capacitate youth groups in advocating and encouraging young people on responsible practice of sexuality and reproductive health. The training will also prepare them in conducting the Usapang Barkadahan in their communities.