Maternal death rate rose in 2011, says DOH

MANILA, Philippines – More Filipino mothers are dying during childbirth, underscoring their “unmet need” for modern family planning services, the Department of Health said Monday.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the mortality rate for Filpino mothers has increased to 221 in 2011 from 162 in 2009.

Ona lamented that poor delivery of health services for the poor was one of the main causes of death.
He noted that maternal deaths were highly preventable through effective family planning services, antenatal care, and access to health facilities.

“Reducing maternal deaths and meeting our MDG requires critical legislation to address structural barriers to universal health care,” Ona said.

“Hence we need to pass the Reproductive Health Bill now, amend the midwifery and other health professions law, as well as consolidate local health systems at provincial level,” he added. –Kristine Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer