Around 200 soon-to-be Marikeña mothers joined the "Buntis Congress" held on Wednesday, June 8, at the Teatro Marikina.
The Buntis Congress aims to further inform women on matters pertaining to prenatal care, breastfeeding, reproductive health, and family planning.
It served as a one-stop shop for soon-to-be mothers.
Healthcare workers and volunteers assisted the attendees with their prenatal and postpartum inquiries as well as distributed informative materials and contraceptives.
The program also offered free consultations, check-ups, and vaccinations.
The program was spearheaded by newly elected Marikina City District 1 Rep. Marjorie Ann "Maan" Teodoro.
It was organized by the Marikina City Health Office (CHO), the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office, the CRO, and the city Gender and Development (GAD) Office.
A similar program was held by the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and Nutrition (MNCHN) Division of the Marikina City Health Office in March 2018 led by Marikina Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro.
More than 160 pregnant women from all the barangays in the city attended the program.
Rep. Teodoro has been launching programs that provide adequate care and support for women in the city.
From March to May, Teodoro facilitated the on-going human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive for women.
HPV has been cited as the leading cause for "nearly 50 percent of high grade cervical pre-cancers" among women, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment have been recommended by the organization as a way to prevent or hamper the effects of the disease.
While visiting the HPV vaccination sites, Teodoro discussed women's healthcare rights to those who were about to receive their vaccines.