Child mortality rate in RP still high, says DoH

MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA – Infant and neonatal mortality reduction remains a major challenge for the government’s Millennium Development Goals, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

But according to Health Secretary Enrique Ona, the department is committed that it will meet its goals despite statistics showing that the Philippines has fallen short on meeting the MDG.

“The whole DOH, under the Universal Health Care Agenda of the Aquino government, is under marching orders to provide universal access to reproductive health to meet the Millennium Development Goals,” Ona said.

The MDGs are time-bound development goals set by governments of 188 member countries during the 2000 Millennium Declaration. These MDGs aim to curb poverty, hunger, and alleviate global education and health concerns.

Of all the MDGs, reduction of maternal mortality (MDG 5) by three-fourths and providing universal access to reproductive health has made the least progress in the Philippines.

In 1990, the maternal mortality rate of the Philippines was 209 deaths per 100,000 live births which translated to the target 52 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015.

Recent studies show that the maternal mortality rate of the country is still at 162 deaths per 100,000 which is still thrice the target figure, and there are only 5 years left. The country’s maternal mortality rate is still one of the highest in Asia.

According to Ona, in 2009, 400 infrastructures and medical facilities have been upgraded nationwide, including the ARMM region where the highest numbers of maternal and newborn deaths are registered.

“Despite budget constraints, local agencies particularly the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous People, Commission on Human Rights are integrating development plans to address the encompassing health issues,” Ona said.

He added that legislators and non-government organizations on the other hand have put forward localized strategies to help improve effective delivery of basic health services in communities, like the “One Midwife Per Barangay Policy” alongside the “Midwifery Law” among others.

Meanwhile, Ambassador and head of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines Alistair MacDonald expressed his support to the DOH.

“About 5,000 women die each year giving birth and as this day ends, 11 women will have needlessly died and on this same day some 42 children will have become orphaned – when 90% of all maternal deaths could have been averted, with proper care, and proper services,” said MacDonald in his speech, adding that another P4.7 billion will be granted by the EU for further projects and developments in support of the Philippines Health Sector Reform Agenda starting this year until 2013. –Marjorie Gorospe