Negros Occidental tops maternal deaths in Western Visayas

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The province of Negros Occidental posted the highest maternal mortality rate among the six provinces in Western Visayas, according to the the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.

This city, the province’s capital, ranked second among highly urbanized and major cities in the region with a high maternal mortality rate.

Negros Occidental has an average of 102.27 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, higher than the regional average of 90.

Antique has 64.71 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, Aklan has 58.48, Capiz 50.74, Iloilo 44.17 and Guimaras 41.79.

Among cities, Iloilo City ranked first with 201.10 maternal mortality per 100,000 live births followed by Bacolod City with 147.26.

DOH regional director Marlyn Convocar said on Monday the high maternal rate was caused by hypertension during pregnancy and low pre-natal care rate.

Convocar said about 10 percent of maternal death cases is due to teenage pregnancy – pregnant women aged 15 to 19.

She cited postpartum hemorrhage as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, “meaning no available blood on the ground.”

Delays caused by mobility, referral on where the patient will deliver and the lack or absence of skilled attendants are among the factors that may also cause maternal death, Convocar said.

Luz Altarejos, head of the gynecology department of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, said they would launch a free counseling and checkup program for young mothers so they could avoid getting pregnant again.

CLMMRH chief Julius Drilon said they are doing everything to curb  maternal deaths and reach the target of fewer than 52 cases this year.