DSA holds BuntisCongress 2017

MATERNAL CARE --- A pregnant woman participant registering in the “Buntis Congress 2017” last May 18 held at the Datu Saudi Ampatuan town gymnasium. Buntis Congress targets to improve women’s health and reduce maternal and neo-natal deaths. (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- Some 170 expectant mothers from different barangays in this town attended the “Buntis Congress 2017” last May 18  held at the municipal gymnasium.

Mayor Bai Anida U. Dimaukom, said this year’s Buntis Congress aims to increase the knowledge of women and their partners about safe motherhood and pregnancy-related services that they can avail from the health facilities.

“We would want to reach out and impart to them that a healthy pregnancy can save both the lives of the mother and her unborn child,” said Mayor Dimaukom.

Municipal Administrator Mastura Tapa said they gave free meals and free “buntis kits” as part of the local government’s counterpart.

“Our kit is inclusive of baby diapers, alcohol, oil, cotton, and soap,” he said.

Tapa added they would also give an incentive of P500 to traditional “hilots” if they could bringto the hospital pregnant women who are about to give birth.

“It would help reduce maternal mortality,” said Tapa.

Municipal Health Officer Dr. Roman Reyes said the Municipal Health Office is always ready to support the pregnant women of the town.

“Proper care is important all throughout the nine months of pregnancy,” he emphasized.

He added that women must have the access to reproductive health services to reduce maternal mortality.

Deliveries and post-partum care must be attended by skilled birth attendants with timely access to quality emergency obstetric and newborn care when needed and all mothers and newborns must benefit from post-partum visits.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)