LINGAYEN---Ultrasound, pre-natal check-up, laboratory tests, dental check-up, beauty care services, PhilHealth enrollment advocacy, vital signs, pharmacy.
These were the various services that pregnant women from the six eastern towns of Pangasinan availed of following the holding of the “Buntis” Congress on August 30 at the Rosales Gym in Rosales town.
Gathering more than 200 expectant mothers from Rosales and its neighboring towns of Villasis, Sta. Maria, Sto. Tomas, San Quintin and Balungao, Provincial Health Officer Anna De Guzman said the assembly aimed at encouraging all pregnant women to give birth in a hospital and avail of the health and safety services for the mother and her child.
Aiming for a zero-maternal death in Pangasinan, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. had often stressed that “no woman should die while giving birth so that every pregnant woman should give birth in a birthing facility.”
Dr. De Guzman said the Buntis Congress was among the strategies of the provincial government to reduce maternal mortality in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of 52 deaths per 100, 000 live births by 2015.
- Buntis Congress at Rosales, Pangasinan
Source: Amado T. Espino Jr. Facebook Page
Family Health Cluster Head Cielo Almoite noted that the province hopes to meet the MDG as she noted that based on data, the province has recorded a significant decrease in maternal mortality rate from 104 per 100,000 live births to 54 in 2012.
The congress, which was the fourth to be conducted by the PHO since last year, was held in cooperation with the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) in Region 1 and the Pangasinan Medical Society.
The congress also paved the way for the launching of an audio-visual presentation which will be telecast at local cable stations and at waiting areas of the provincial government-owned hospitals.
De Guzman said the AVP encapsulates the Maternal, Neo-Natal, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) program of the province.
As this developed, the pregnant women participants at the congress were very happy as they expressed thanks to the provincial government.
Pearl Ann Mariano, a five-month expectant mother from Barangay Kita-Kita, Balungao expressed her gratitude for the rare opportunity of getting free medical services plus pampering where she also got free foot spa and haircut from beauty care providers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) students of Pangasinan School of Arts and Trades led by Clemencia Ibarra and Marymar Rosario.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako at nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na matutunan ko ang tamang pangangalaga sa pagbubuntis,” said Ely Rae Pagaduan, a first time mother from San Quintin.
Physicians from POGS performed ultrasound on mothers diagnosed to have high risk pregnancies while medical technologists from the PHO and other government hospitals and Philippine Red Cross performed laboratory tests like blood typing, urinalysis and hematocrit.
The participants, who underwent oral prophylaxis performed by dentists from the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital and personnel from the Rural Health Unit of Balungao and PHO, also received toothbrushes and calcium lactate for their oral care.
Also present were USAID Reg’l Cluster Adviser Edward Tandingan, PMS Chairman Ellen Manzano and PMS President Betha Fe Manaois-Castillo who provided free lectures. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)
