Sunday, July 27, 2008 More mothers die during childbirth in Pampanga By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Health officials call on stakeholders to strengthen nutrition programs for mothers after learning that Pampanga has the highest mortality rates for mothers during childbirth.
The call was issued during the culminating activity of the Nutrition Month Clebration with the theme, "Sa Wastong Nutrisyon ni Mommy, Siguradong Healthy si Baby" at the Benigno Aquino Hall over the weekend.
During the forum, Dr. Edmyr Macabulos, a pediatrician, said that last year's Maternal Mortality Rate in the province was 237 for every 100,000 live births.
He said this is higher than the national average.
It was learned that in the Philippines, only 107.1 mothers die for every 100,000 live births last year.
This is also coupled with the national average of about 30 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
In 2006, an average of 281 mothers die for every 100,000 live births in the country.
Macabulos said most of the deaths in the province are a consequence of the poor health and nutritional status of the mother.
Care, during and after delivery is also inadequate.
He said health programs in the province should also focus on nutritional standards for mothers.
The importance of the nutritional status of mothers before and during pregnancy, he said, also determines the nutritional status of the infant at birth and months or even years after.
"A pregnant woman needs adequate and proper nutrition because it helps her body to produce an adequate amount of milk," Macabulos said.
Board Member Edna David, chairperson of the Provincial Board committee on health, cited the importance of enjoining all sectors in promoting the health of pregnant mothers.
"The nutrition program for the province is not just the responsibility of the Provincial Government, but is also the responsibility of the private and academic sectors," David said.
She added that good nutritional practices start at home and that these are then reinforced in schools through nutritional programs mandated by our health officials.
She said good nutrition is a practice that should be encouraged, especially among pregnant mothers.
Governor Eddie Panlilio, chairman of the Provincial Nutrition Council, said that good nutrition should not always be expensive.
"We need to teach our constituents the good nutrition through available resources," he added.
Macabulos said the lack of good nutritional program for mothers and poor information dissemination among local communities could further escalate the statistics of maternal mortality rate in the province.
Globally, 30,500 to 50,000 mothers die due to childbirth.
Four million babies, less than one month old, along with 300,000 newborns die during birth.
