Increased rate of maternal deaths worry AnaKalusugan solon
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Concerned over reports that 2,478 women died of maternal causes in 2021, AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes appealed to government to give pregnant women easier access to medical services. Reyes, a rookie lawmaker in the 19th Congress, highlighted the need to bring health services to the people, particularly in rural areas. "Dehado ang mga kababaihan sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) dahil mas malaki ang kailangan nilang gastusin para makakuha ng health services (Women from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas [GIDA] have it more difficult since they need to spend more in order to avail of health services)," he said in a statement Monday, May 15. "Kaya mahalaga na inilalapit natin ang serbisyo sa kanila. Ito ang paulit-ulit na panawagan natin sa AnaKalusugan (That's why it's important to bring the services closer to them. This has been AnaKalusugan's repeated appeal). We have to prioritize public health and help our people cope with the costs that health services entail," Reyes said. Before this, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines highlighted Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data saying that 2,478 women died of maternal causes in 2021, up from 1,458Â in 2019. The 2021 figure equates to nearly seven maternal deaths in the Philippines per day, up from around four per day in 2019. The UNFPA also noted that 14 percent of pregnant women do not get regular check-ups and the other necessary medical care needed during pregnancy, and that one in ten women do not give birth in health facilities or receive assistance from skilled healthcare personnel during childbirth. "Kailangang maglaan pa tayo ng mas maraming resources para masigurong may sapat at madaling access sa health services ang mga kababaihan sa kanilang pagdadalang-tao at panganganak (We need to allocate more resources to ensure that women have ample and easy access to health services during pregnancy and childbirth)," the pro-health solon said.