| 5 |
Improve
Maternal Health |
TARGET
6: Reduce maternal
mortality rate (MMR) by three-quarters by 2015 (half by 2000
half by 2015) |
STATUS |
*
There is a reduction of 307 per 100,000 live births in maternal
mortality from 1998 to 2002.
* There are disparities in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)
in difference provinces of the country.
* Main medical causes of maternal deaths are hemorrhage, sepsis,
eclampsia or convulsions resulting from hypertensive disorders
of pregnancy, abortion complications/unsafe abortion, obstructed
labor and infections. These deaths are also aggravated by
anemia, and infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis,
hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.
*
There has been a slight increase in the contraceptive prevalence
rate from 50.5% in 1992 to 54.2% in 2002.
*
The proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel
has increased steadily from 40.7% in 1992 to 68.4% in 2002. |
*
The 1998 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) estimated
the country’s MMR at 172 per 100,000 live births for the period
of 1991 to 1997.This is lower than the estimated MMR for the
period 1987 to 1993.However, due to large sampling errors
associated with the estimates, it is difficult to conclude
that the MMR has declined.
* Disparities across provinces also remain wide.
* The life time risk of dying from maternal causes is about
1 in every 100 Filipino women. The major causes of maternal
deaths are postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, and sever infection.
*
The 1998 NDHS showed that 56% of deliveries were attended
by skilled health professionals. |
*
The MMR dropped from 36 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to
14 per 100,000 live births in 1999.
* The leading causes of maternal death were hemorrhage, hypertension,
sepsis and amniotic fluid embolism.
*
There are difficulties accessing primary health care in the
North due to the terrain. In the southernmost provinces, complexities
based on gender, culture, religion and language can make access
to or use of primary health care difficult.
*
Many health personnel to not have the skills to make maternal
risk assessments or detect childbearing complications early
on. |
| CHALLENGES |
*
Need to improve / increase health services.
* Clearly define the roles and responsibilities between the
central and local government to improve health service delivery
and utilization.
* Coordination between related institutions and donors to
avoid overlapping and piecemeal projects. |
*
Problems on the devolution of health care services to local
governments continue to thwart efforts in reducing maternal
mortality rate.
*
Many local governments to not have adequate institutional
preparation to take on the responsibility of health care. |
*
Involving both parents and health personnel in improving health
outcomes.
* Providing healthcare for women.
* Improving the training of health service personnel to be
more effective in detecting and responding to childbirth complications.
* Analyzing existing data to develop targeted strategies. |
