Saving up for motherhood
PBSP introduces socialized insurance for maternal health
Motherhood is perhaps one of the most difficult yet fulfilling part of a woman’s life because of the huge responsibility it entails, especially in raising a child to be the best person that he can be.
Hence, it would be wise to prepare for this vocation the moment she learns of that new life living inside her. The usual preparations should begin during pregnancy– from pre-natal checkups along with getting enough nutrition for the baby’s development, to choosing the best facility for childbirth, getting post-natal care, and saving up for the expenses that come with the addition of a new family member.
However, pregnant women and mothers from low-income families rarely get to make such preparations due to financial difficulties.
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) underscored the need for safe motherhood practices, especially saving up for maternal healthcare in the recent “Safe Motherhood Caravan” held for some 400 mothers, pregnant women and women of reproductive age in Barangays Concepcion Uno and Parang in Marikina City.
PBSP has partnered with the local government of Marikina for the implementation of the project, “Brokering for the Poor – Business Solution to Safe Motherhood” which is funded by the Grand Challenges Canada (GCC). The project aims to develop low-cost health insurance products that can be availed by low and lower-middle income women in an effort to make maternal healthcare services accessible to them.
SAVING IS ABOUT RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
Jenny Manil, a 28-year-old mother of four, was among those who attended the event in Concepcion Uno. She found the lecture on saving most useful.
“Natutunan ko sa seminar ang kahalagahan ng pag-iipon. Maganda palang makakuha ng mga serbisyo sa coop para kahit papaano, may kaunting ipon lalo na pag may emergency (I learned the importance of saving. It’s good to avail of services of the cooperative so that I can save and have something to use in case of emergency.),” Manil said.
A VALUABLE INVESTMENT
The seminar on saving conducted by the Concepcion Vendors Development Cooperative (CVDC), PBSP’s partner cooperative, introduced participants to the various health insurance products that can help them pay for expenses incurred during their pregnancy and childbirth.
CVDC general manager Yolly Del Castillo stressed the importance of saving during the event.
“Napakahalaga na kahit hindi pa nailalabas ang anak ay pinag-iipunan mo na ito. Mahirap magkasakit lalo na kung hindi mo alam kung saan ka kukuha ng pera. Kahit may Philhealth ka, hindi lahat ng gastos ay masasagot nito. Saving is teaching you responsible parenthood, hindi naman dapat magbuntis ka lang. Ang pag-iipon ang una mong dapat na prioridad. Kahit may kinikita ka kung hindi ka marunong magtabi, mauubos at mauubos ‘yan. Dapat marunong kang mag-ipon at may savings ka na magsisilbing buffer mo, at mapagkukuhanan mo pag kailangang mo ng pera pero wala kang matakbuhan. (It’s very important to save for one’s child before you give birth to it. It’s hard to get sick especially if you don’t know where to get money to pay for consultation and medicines. You may have a Philhealth card but it cannot cover all the expenses that come with pregnancy and giving birth. You shouldn’t just get yourself pregnant. Saving should be your first priority. Even if you’re earning, if you don’t save some for emergency, your resources will eventually run out. You should know how to save and set it aside as a buffer that you can use especially in times when you don’t know where to get money.),” Del Castillo said.
She added that women should be more open-minded and look at health insurances not as an expense but as a valuable investment.
PBSP Portfolio manager for Health Jerome Daclison said that the project’s main goal is to provide women life-saving services through a socialized health insurance.
“This socialized insurance will enable mothers to avail of (health care) services such as facility-based deliveries supervised by a skilled health worker attendant. They will pay a minimal amount for the insurance with easy installment schemes that can fit their budget,” Daclison added.