Philippine typhoon exposes need for maternal care in evacuation centres

More than 30,000 pregnant women in seven regions need help

Manila: The experience with typhoon Hagupit has underscored the lack of access to reproductive health services in the Philippines during emergencies such as natural disasters, experts have said.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in the wake of typhoon Hagupit, more than 30,000 pregnant women in seven regions may be in need of reproductive care services.

Referred to in the Philippines as “Ruby,” Hagupit affected the country from December 6 to 9.

It was said to the most powerful weather disturbance to hit the country since Typhoon Haiyan and caused one of the country’s biggest peace-time evacuations as Filipinos tried to avoid a repeat of the disaster caused by Haiyan, which left 6,300 people killed.

The Philippines had ordered the evacuation of nearly a million residents living in areas in danger from the typhoon which was initially carrying 210km/h winds.

But as much as the government tried of avoid huge casualties, the effort required in moving tens of thousands of people out of imminent danger, including pregnant women, proved to be a big challenge.

“Based on latest government data of two million people affected by typhoon Ruby, there are more than 30,000 pregnant women in seven regions who may be in need of reproductive health services, including facilities and supplies for clean deliveries to prevent maternal and newborn deaths,” the UNFPA said.

Most areas in the Philippines currently have no permanent infrastructure for sheltering evacuees. Most municipalities and village level governance units had to make do with state school buildings and gymnasiums to house residents fleeing the storm.

The lack of adequate infrastructure for maternal care, places additional stress on expectant mothers.

UNFPA said that during the onslaught of the typhoon, at least one child birth was recorded in one of the evacuation centres and at least one maternal death had been reported.

“About 100 childbirths are expected daily from the affected cities and municipalities. Of these daily deliveries, some may experience life-threatening obstetric complications,” UNFPA said.

Klaus Beck, Country Representative of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund said the onus now falls on the government and aid agencies to ensure that pregnant women affected by Hagupit, and those who may be caught in future major weather disturbances and emergencies, will have access to maternal care services including safe and clean deliveries.

“Focus must now urgently be on ensuring that health facilities in the affected areas become fully operational again and that roads are cleared and transport available for women who will deliver, especially those who are still in evacuation centres,” Beck said.

The Philippines’ actions during typhoon Hagupit, particularly the mass pre-emptive evacuation, had earned the praise of the international community including the European Union and the United States government.

According to the Philippine National Red Cross, the country’s death toll from Hagupit reached 21, with most of the fatalities located in the Visayas. –Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent