Maternal deaths continue to decline in Zambo: DOH

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Health in Region 9 (DOH-9) has recorded a continued decline in maternal deaths for the past four years here in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Dr. Agnes Mabolo, DOH-9 regional non-communicable cluster head, said Wednesday this was brought about by the continued advocacy and intervention that includes the establishment in different barangays of the Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) unit where pregnant mothers can safely give birth.

As part of the advocacy, Mabolo said pregnant mothers are advised to undergo pre-natal check-ups for them to be guided during pregnancy and to eat the right kind and amount of food as well as to regularly exercise.

She said they are also advised not to drink and smoke. Likewise, the husbands are told not to smoke near their pregnant wives.

Those under high risk or with multiple pregnancies, getting pregnant too young or old, and females pregnant with less than 4 feet and 11-inches in height are told to take extra precaution, she added.

She said that the recorded decline in maternal deaths is as follows: 61 deaths, 2015; 46 deaths, 2016; 40 cases of deaths, 2017; and 35 in 2018.

She said the most common causes of maternal death is eclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy and hemorrhage. (PNA)