Department of Health (DOH) strongly encourages all pregnant women in Central Luzon to have full access to available quality maternal and neonatal health services amid the pandemic.
These include at least four antenatal care visits, facility-based deliveries, deliveries assisted by skilled health professionals and at least two postpartum care visits which highlights the danger signs after delivery and the importance of family planning.
“During this time of pandemic, access to maternal health services is being challenged by fears of mothers in leaving their homes due to the possibility of being exposed to COVID-19, limited public transportation and lack of support system,” DOH Regional Director Corazon Flores said.
“We intensely advocate postpartum care as this is the period from the time of delivery to 42 days after childbirth. During this time, mothers might experience physical and emotional changes and even postpartum complications that is why appropriate care and substantial support from the health care providers and family members are highly important,” she stressed.
Presidential Proclamation No. 200 signed, series of 2002 declared the second week of May as Safe Motherhood Week to promote maternal health and nutrition.
This year’s celebration carries the theme “Gawing Mas Ligtas ang Pagbubuntis, Panganganak, at Postpartum Period.”