High maternal mortality rate hits Cagayan de Oro, according to the statistical report from the City Health Office.
The city recorded only 11,500 live births out of the total birth rate of 29,118 in 2007. For a big city in Northern Mindanao, this number is quite unusual.
Further statistical report revealed that hospital delivery summed up to 7 303; health center delivery 1 784; home delivery 3 456; “hilot” delivery 2,982, doctor delivery, 8 227; nurse delivery, 39; midwife delivery, 2,667; and others 2 660.
High maternal mortality usually happens in developing countries and underdeveloped countries where poverty rate is also high. It is because of the lack of knowledge regarding pregnancy, especially among pregnant women below the poverty line.
Due to the lack of knowledge, pregnant women tend to think that pregnancy is easy. The fact is, pregnancy is never easy, it is complicated. Aside from the fact that the mother is carrying life inside her, hormonal and chemical changes are on the rise and it may have a harmful effect on the fetus and to the mother. Vitamins and minerals need to be monitored in pregnancy; too much or too less of them is not good for the developing fetus and the mother. Also, environmental factors need to be assessed, because a pregnant woman is fragile during and after pregnancy, as resistance level is low while the mother gives nourishment to her fetus. Also, the mother is required more than eight hours of sleep but not exceeding 10 hours daily. Maternal exercise is also recommended. Alcohol, smoking and stress, are strictly prohibited due to the harmful effects on both in the mother and her fetus. Most of all, in pregnancy it is important to have regular check-ups, pre-natal and post-natal. Facts are stated and the statistics are, quiet alarming. The real question here is, where are we going from this? A possible solution to this problem is to educate people so that they will have an insight about what is really happening to them.
That points out that 18,063 infants were either not registered or died during or after post delivery procedure. Cagayan de Oro also has a high rate of teenage pregnancy. It is now becoming a trend even in other cities in the Philippines and the world. . In an interview, Mrs. Josephine Barba head of the Maternal Health Division stressed her concern about teenage mothers “Teenage pregnancy is high and it is becoming trend, maternal and child birth mortality is high because they simply don’t care.”
In India and Africa, there is a decrease in mortality rate during the early years of the new millennium because of the campaign of the United Nations (UN). The UN included in its goals the promotion of Maternal Health. This advocacy informs and educates women around the world, but, especially those in the developing and underdeveloped because of the high concentration of maternal mortality in these countries.
Also, we need to question why the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) allows a nurse or a local “kumadrona” or “mananabang” to administer a birth. These persons may not be academically, scientifically and professionally trained to do so, which is also one cause of high maternal and birth mortality not only in Cagayan de Oro but in the Philippines. The PRC should do an immediate action on this, the system rots for years already there is no excuse for not changing it. We can also check whether the City Health Office acts on this matter. Until now we do not know their plan for this matter, if they have one. In this light the City Health Office and Barangay Health Center should collaborate and have a campaign about the risks in pregnancy and the need for regular check-ups. They can conduct activities for pregnant women such as seminars held in their respective barangays, and follow-ups which are important to monitor the condition of each pregnant women and her fetus.
As citizens of this city and of this nation we need to act to prevent this number of deaths from increasing. There is still time.
