LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The “Anak Ko, Buhay Ko, Mahal Ko” campaign of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) which sums up the maternal health care program of the present provincial administration received warm reception from the women sector in San Fabian town with the staging of the 8th Buntis Congress recently.
About 300 pregnant and married women from 34 barangays of San Fabian broadened their perspectives on responsible and safe motherhood through active participation in lectures and counselling on high quality family planning, responsible parenthood, ante-natal and post-partum care offered during the congress held at the De Venecia Sports and Civic Center Gymnasium.
Asst. Provincial Health Officer for Hospital Jeremy Agerico “Ming” Rosario informed the participants that Maternal Health Care (MHC) is a component program of the health care development thrust of the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.
The local health officer said that MHC promotion in Pangasinan is made even effective and advantageous to Pangasinenses with the implementation of the Point-of-Care (POC), a joint program of the PhilHealth and the provincial government. Anyone with POC enrolment can avail of free medical services in the 14 provincial government-owned hospitals.
Expressing gratitude for the conduct of Buntis Congress in his town, San Fabian Mayor Constante Agbayani said that the activity is beneficial to pregnant women as he noted that provision of healthcare services is among the top priority of his leadership.
The town mayor disclosed that the lying-ins of the Rural Health Units (RHUs) in San Fabian are ready to facilitate child delivery. Pregnant women with POC enrolment may also be accommodated during labor at the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City or at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in San Carlos City, Agbayani said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rico Reyes, OBGYNE Department Head R1MC advised pregnant women to undergo four pre-natal check-ups in the whole duration of their pregnancy; and undergo delivery in health facilities to ensure that proper medical attention will be given to them.
The buntis congress also included the provision of free-of-charge services in beauty care, dental and medical; laboratory examinations including urinalysis; pre-natal check-up, visual inspection through acetic acid and ultrasound; counselling on PhilHealth programs; short lectures on entrepreneurial engagements; and beauty search for Pretty Preggy.
Marita Fernandez, 37, from barangay Poblacion, who is pregnant with her second child, said: “Nakakatulong ang programang ito para malaman ng mga kagaya kong buntis ang mga tamang gawi at pangangalaga ng katawan habang nagbubuntis, she said.
In a show of support, Asst. Provincial Health Officer for Public Health Cielo Almoite, San Fabian Vice Mayor Leopoldo Manalo, and representatives from PHO’s partner agencies and offices in health care services were also present during the activity.
By Dexter A. See
