QC seeks to reduce maternal deaths

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government has intensified its campaign to reduce maternal and child deaths in an effort to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of improving maternal healthcare by 2015.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday assured city residents that the local government is doing its best to achieve zero maternal-infant death in the next three years.

“Let us discuss how to achieve our common goal. Let us turn our dreams into reality by working together,” Belmonte said.

The Quezon City Health Department announced during the Maternal Health Summit 2012 its partnership with several groups, including local pharmaceutical company United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab) to improve maternal healthcare.

“We have taken a strong position to help protect our city’s mothers,” city health officer Dr. Annie Inumerable said.

Health officials presented reports on the current maternal healthcare situation in the city.

Records from the QCHD showed that the number of maternal deaths in the city has been increasing since 2008.

Inumerable added that infant mortality rate in the city was also one of the highest in the country.

“In the coming years, we hope that no pregnant woman will die,” she said.

Councilor Jessica Daza, chairperson of the city council’s committee on health, presented several ordinances concerning maternal health that was recently passed by the city council.

National and local government health officials, medical practitioners and representatives from different sectors attended the summit.

A declaration of commitment to protect pregnant women and their children was also signed during the summit.