Ginatilan mother safety program gets PB's nod

Cebu - The implementation of the Safe Motherhood program of the Municipality of Ginatilan got the approval of the Committee on women, children and family of the Provincial Board.   “The ordinance is perfect piece of legislation worthy of commendation,” PB member Agnes Magpale said.

Magpale said the ordinance is also in compliance with the provisions of Section 447 of the Local Government Code and pursuant to the thrust of the town in order to provide the effective delivery of basic health services to its constituents, specifically the pregnant women.

Also, its purpose is to eradicate or at least reduce maternal deaths and or illness of mothers who are undergoing pre-natal care, delivery and post-natal care treatment at the Ginatilan Birthing Clinic and Rural Health Units in the town.

Magpale said the ordinance of the town pursues the objectives of the Women Development Code of Cebu Province.

Magpale further said the ordinance will give an assurance to the pregnant women that they will not fall into the hands of the traditional birth or “hilot.”

The Department of Health urged pregnant women to deliver in facility-based centers instead of using home-based delivery attended by ‘hilots’ as this is the primary cause of maternal deaths in the country.

DOH regional coordinator of the Maternal and Child Health Program, Ma. Socorro Entera, recently revealed that 60 to 70 percent of pregnant women in the country opt to deliver in their own homes due to financial concerns.

According to Entera, the childbirth delivery should be done in facility-based centers like hospitals, birthing homes and line-in centers complete with facilities and attended to by skilled healthcare professionals that include a doctor, nurse and a midwife. — Garry B. Lao/BRP (THE FREEMAN)