DOH puts up system to monitor maternal, child deaths

MANILA, Philippines -The Department of Health (DOH) is putting up a central monitoring system that will easily link hospital records of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila to address maternal and child deaths.

“There should be no mother dying while giving birth or a mother losing her baby during delivery due to a poor health care delivery system or delay in blood access due to a weak referral system. With this joint endeavor working towards the improvement of maternal health and child nutrition, we can lessen the incidence of unnecessary deaths in the region,” said Dr. Eduardo Janairo, DOH director for the National Capital Region.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said they have already signed a memorandum of agreement with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr. for the establishment of the monitoring system at the University of Makati.

He said the system will work in collaboration with the  Philippine Blood Center.

“With this system in place, the DOH, including the blood centers in NCR, will be able to provide immediate response to emergency cases in health facilities,” Janairo said.

The DOH-NCR recorded 53 deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth this year alone.

A total of 417 neonatal deaths were registered this year, with Quezon City accounting for 121; Marikina, 54; Manila, 45; Pasay, 39; Las Piñas, 37; Pasig, 24; Mandaluyong, 22; Caloocan, 21; Makati, 19; Parañaque, 11; Muntinlupa , 10; Navotas five; Valenzuela, four;  Malabon, three and San Juan, two.

Janairo said the number of children who died this year before reaching their fifth birthday reached 768.