In the second week of May every year, the Philippines observes safe motherhood week in order to promote maternal health and nutrition. In the Philippines, the rate of babies born in health facilities (known as the facility based delivery rate) has risen significantly in the past few years. Ideally women give birth in a health facility in order to make sure both mother and baby are properly cared for by trained health workers before, during and after the birth. However today there are still many reasons women do not give birth in a health facility, particularly in the areas most affected by typhoon Yolanda.
There are approximately 220,000 pregnant women in Yolanda affected areas and 70,000 newborn babies. The typhoon damaged or destroyed 582 health facilities. WHO, in partnership with the DOH, has worked to coordinate the set-up of temporary birthing facilities until these structures are repaired and rebuilt. WHO has also partnered with regional and local government units to train local health workers on how best to provide high quality maternal and child health services.
In the Philippines, the top three barriers to accessing maternal delivery services are the lack of money, difficulty in taking public transport and not wanting to go alone. Within the Yolanda hit areas, these barriers are magnified. This is one of the many reasons that across the Philippines WHO is working hand in hand with DOH to make universal health care a reality and is partnering with the DOH and local government units to train skilled birth attendants in Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care.
The WHO encourages practice of the “First Embrace” (Unang Ykap) which is the first step to a healthy start for the baby. Immediately after a mother gives birth the baby is thoroughly dried and placed on the mother to ensure skin-to-skin contact between mom and child. Then the chord is clamped after pulsations stop and cut with a sterile instrument. Finally the mother is encouraged to breastfeed her child for the first time. These practices along with exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months have been proven to dramatically improve the survival and health of newborn babies.
Another essential element of healthy moms is their ability to take care of themselves following delivery. Dr. Jacqueline Kitong, WHO technical officer for maternal and child health, explains: "Post-Partum care is often neglected. Mothers tend to think they are safe from complications once they’ve given birth but during the immediate post-partum period are when complications, like post-partum bleeding and other complications often emerge.”
WHO is working with the DOH to ensure that mothers and babies have the best possible care after birth and that mothers go for regular check-ups with their babies. “Safe Motherhood Week is a reminder not only for families to look after their babies but also a reminder for mothers to look after themselves. We are working with the DOH to ensure all pregnant mothers have access to the health services they need. In the Yolanda affected areas, this issue is particularly critical as we face another typhoon season in the coming months, and we are working hard to ensure the best possible care for the 220,000 pregnant mothers in the area,” says Dr Julie Hall, Country Representative in the Philippines.