One midwife for each barangay pushed

Lawmakers want to increase access to health care services especially for the underprivileged
by mandating the appointment of a midwife for each barangay in the country.
Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2
nd
District !amarines "ur# and $loria Macapagal%
Arroyo (2
nd
District &ampanga# filed 'ouse (ill 2)*+ to be known as the Midwife to the (arangay
Act to cover the gap on the delivery of maternal and infant healthcare services in the country.
,'ealthcare professionals are sorely lacking and une-ually distributed in rural and urban areas
and mostly have left the country in search for greener pastures. Arroyo said.
Arroyo said the services of midwives as front liners in the country/s health care delivery
system are essential in achieving the "tate/s health policy especially with regard to pre%natal and post
natal maternal and newborn care.
,0nfant and maternal mortality rates worldwide are still alarmingly high particularly in
developing countries like the &hilippines. According to the 1orld 'ealth 2rgani3ation and the 4nited
5ations !hildren 6und more than half a million women succumb to complications due to pregnancy
or childbirth. Arroyo said.
Arroyo said around 778 of all maternal deaths occurs in developing countries with some
9:8 concentrated in sub%"aharan Africa and "outh Asia.
4nder the measure all barangays shall be e-uipped with one midwife but if the population of
a barangay e;ceeds five thousand the number of midwives shall be increased as determined by the
Department of 'ealth (D2'#.
All Midwives to the (arangay are mandated to ensure that mothers and infants are given
-uality and essential health care services including but not limited to prenatal and post natal care
breastfeeding support providing information on the importance of immuni3ation and ensuring that
infants are given the proper vaccines as provided in the D2' <;panded &rogram on 0mmuni3ation
and proper care and nutrition of both the mothers and the infants.
=he D2' through its !enter for 'ealth Development is re-uired to appoint the Midwife to
the (arangay who shall as much as possible come from the same barangay or municipality where he
or she will be appointed otherwise giving priority to remote areas with no e;isting healthcare
professionals.
=he D2' shall provide for the -ualifications of the Midwife to the (arangay ensuring that
the midwives are e-uipped with (asic <mergency 2bstetric !are and providing them with training
on !omprehensive <mergency 2bstetric !are.
=he D2' in cooperation with the Department of 0nterior and Local $overnment the !ivil
"ervice !ommission and other concerned government agencies and non%government organi3ations
shall formulate and promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act. (+># jc
NR # 3519
JULY 6, 2014