| 7th Time Mother had a First Time Delivery at the RHU |
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| News Features - Success Stories |
| Monday, 16 November 2009 09:19 |
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Placer, Masbate -- A study by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) published on March 2009 revealed that about 4 out of 10 of child births in the last two years preceding their survey we made with the assistance of Traditional Birth Assistants or ‘hilot’ in the local vernacular.
 The practice is very prevalent in rural areas because of the inaccessibility of birthing facilities. The NSCB study showed that Masbate is among the two provinces in the country with the lowest percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel. Lorina Cornejo, 33, of Brgy. Cawayan in Placer, Masbate is one of those women who constantly turn to hilot for childbirth assistance. She already has six children and she was assisted by hilot in all her deliveries. “Dati sa bahay lang ako nanganganak, pero nahikayat ako ng midwife na dito manganak” (I had six childbirths done at home but I was convinced by the midwife to deliver my 7th baby at the RHU), said the mother. Lorina’s 6th child died during childbirth, prompting her to decide to try the RHU for the first time. Lorina is one of the 54,180 beneficiaries of 4Ps in Masbate who receives cash grants in exchange of compliance to certain conditionalities. One of the conditionalities of the program is the availment of pregnant women of pre- and post- natal care and the attendance of a skilled/trained health professional during childbirths. This was the other reason why Lorina chose to give birth at the RHU. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps is a poverty reduction program of the national government being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which aims to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by investing in human capital. It also helps to fulfill the country’s commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals which includes reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, among others. Veronica Dejucos Ortega, Lorina’s attending midwife, said that they have been encouraging pregnant women to give birth at the RHU because it is better and safer to mothers and the baby. “We conduct counseling to pregnant mothers who come for their pre-natal check-up. We encourage them to avail the free facilities and services here on their child delivery”, shared Mrs. Ortega. The counseling includes orientation to mothers on how to take care of themselves while pregnant and the complications that could occur before, during and after child birth. According to Ortega, Lorina was fortunate that she did not have any complications from the stillbirth. When she gave birth to her 7th child at the RHU for the first time, Lorina realized that it was easier and safer to give birth in a well-ventilated place. She shared that, “the RHU has good facilities and knowledgeable medical attendants who assist during deliveries. It is definitely safe in the RHU than giving birth at home. Comfortable amenities are also available life beds in the air-conditioned labor, delivery and recovery rooms. It is also equipped with complete medical instruments, apparatus and medicines too”. After giving birth, Lorina stayed in the recovery room to regain strength. The midwife gave lessons on how to properly breastfeed and the proper nutrition to ensure sufficient milk for the baby up to two years. “These are some lessons that some mothers fail to appreciate because they do not consult with trained health workers”, Ortega shared. DSWD-UNFPA PARTNERSHIPThe facilities and equipment in RHU Placer were donated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) while the building was built through the help of Women’s Club of Placer. Dr. George S. Galindez, Placer’s Municipal Health Doctor, said that there would be times that the unit is filled with five pregnant women who are all about to give birth, “Mabuti na lang at may mga facilities kami to accommodate, minsan nga naglalatag pa ako ng folding bed para may higaan yung ina” (It’s a good thing that we have enough facilities to accommodate patients, but there are times that we have to all folding beds for more patients.), he added. Dr. Galindez’ expressed his gratitude to UNFPA for giving them facilities like labor beds that they really need in the unit, “Kami lang ata ang meron nyan sa Masbate.” (I think that we are the only RHU in Masbate that has this kind of facilities), he joyfully concluded. DSWD and UNFPA recently signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) for the benefit of some 6,300 families under the 4Ps in Placer starting July 2009. Under the agreement, the DSWD Field Office V will provide the UNFPA with the final list of 4Ps beneficiaries in Placer, Masbate. It will also establish and supervise a local project support group based in Placer as well as conduct project orientations with both public and private registered health services providers. There will also be conduct of monthly consultative and assessment meetings. ### (4Ps Social Marketing Unit)
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