The National Safe Motherhood Program (NSMP) is a cornerstone initiative dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of women during their pregnancy journey. In collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), the City Health Department (CHD) of Ormoc City has undertaken a steadfast commitment to establishing sustainable and cost-effective strategies. The overarching goal is to deliver high-quality maternal and newborn health services, ensuring that pregnant mothers can safely give birth in health facilities proximate to their homes.

     Under the NSMP umbrella, the CHD in Ormoc City places significant emphasis on providing comprehensive maternal care. Quality antenatal, postnatal, and neonatal services are diligently offered at various barangay health centers across the city. This strategic approach aims to optimize the health outcomes for pregnant mothers, promoting not only safe deliveries but also the overall well-being of both mothers and newborns.

Ongoing

    The following table encapsulates the key maternal health indicators, along with the corresponding accomplishments for the year 2023 illustrating the tangible impact of the NSMP in enhancing maternal health services within the community:

CHD conducted the Annual Maternal and Neonatal Death Review (MNDR) for year 2023 last January 19, 2024. This activity is geared towards the program’s main objective-to ensure that all women will have full access to quality maternal health care services in order for mothers to have a safer pregnancy and delivery of their children.

For the duration of the MNDR, the following maternal and neonatal death cases were reviewed.

This activity is directed towards the identification of the possible problems that may have caused the deaths and finding immediate and realistic solutions that would address the problems at hand. It is not a fault-finding activity, but it is a collaborative effort of the public and private institutions in the city to find immediate interventions in order to minimize the morbidity and mortality of mothers and babies. Moreover, the event also enhances the knowledge on maternal and neonatal care of other health workers thru the sharing of different ideas from the consultants. Among the specialists invited were: OB-Gyne Consultants Dr. Lourdes Capahi-De Veyra and Dr. Angela Kristine S. Español, Pediatric Consultant Dr. Denise Sembrano. Update on the city’s current maternal and neonatal mortality status was also imparted during the activity. Additionally, the health workers from different health institutions all over the city had formulated strategies to address the problems encountered that may have led to the deaths of mothers and babies.

Last August 8, 2024, Ormoc CHO initiated the kick-off activity for the celebration of Family Planning Month. During the event, services for women were offered such as Buntis Congress for Adolescent Pregnant, free Implant insertion to Women of Reproductive Age (WRA), free HIV screening, and free maternal and dental kits. Additionally, a competition was held for being the Best Health Booth among the 6 health districts in the city. The 6 different health stands raised awareness and advocacy on the following: HIV Infection and Prevention, Family Planning and its commodities, Maternal Health, Immunization and its efficacy, Mental Health Interventions, and Importance of Nutrition in women and children.

On the third week of August, Supportive Supervisory Visit was conducted among the 6 private birthing centers in the city. The birthing centers visited were Sola Gratia Birthing Center, Mother Angel Birthing Center, Peñaranda Birthing Clinic, Lyn’s Birthing Center, and St. Anne’s Birthing Center. During the visit, the birthing centers are being monitored if their skills and services are adequate and are in accordance to DOH standards.

During the SSV, the CHD staff together with the program managers and coordinators conduct a thorough assessment on the following: availability of resources, record validation, client satisfaction, knowledge and skills of facility health care workers, and referral audit.

Thus through this activity, the mothers are guaranteed to have a quality and safe maternal care services during antepartum, antepartum, and postpartum. Additionally, constant monitoring with these facilities would also reduce the maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.