DOH implements rapid reforms in reducing maternal, neonatal mortality

MANILA, Oct. 13 (PNA) -– The Department of Health (DOH) has issued an administrative order aimed at rapidly reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through local implementation of an integrated maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition (MNCHN) strategy.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III signed AO No. 2008-0029 enjoining the whole hierarchy of the DOH, attached agencies, local government units (LGUs) and other pubic/private providers of health care and development partners in implementing health reforms for rapid reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality

According to the DOH, although the rates of decline in maternal and neonatal mortality have decelerated in the past decade, the Philippines’ commitments to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of lowering maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rates by 2015 may not be achieved.

The latest data from the Center for Women’s Resources indicate that 10 mothers die daily of pregnancy-and childbirth-related causes, while the Philippines Midterm Progress Report (PMPR) on the MDGs, states that the maternal mortality rate in 2006 is 162 mothers per 100,000 live births.

The data also said infant mortality in the country is still high at 21.45 per 1,000 live births. The leading causes of maternal mortality in the Philippines are hemorrhage, eclampsia in pregnancy, puerperal sepsis, retained placenta, obstructed labor, prolonged pregnancy, and anemia.

The DOH said the risk of maternal and neonatal death for a given population is magnified with critical accumulation of the identified four risks. These include the risk of having mistimed, unplanned, unwanted and unsupported pregnancy; and becoming pregnant exposes the mother and fetus to the risk of not securing adequate care during the course of pregnancy.

The Philippines is a signatory to the 2000 Millennium Declaration on the global agenda for development by 2015. The eight MDGs seek to reduce by half extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality; reduce child mortality; improve women’s health; and stop and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.