LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has reminded pregnant women to have regular pre-natal checkups to avoid pregnancy-related complications, following the death of an expectant mother in the province.
In an interview on Saturday, provincial health officer Dr. Anna de Guzman, said pre-natal checkup may be done in Barangay Health Centers and local health offices.
She disclosed that one Renato Reynaldo Jr. filed a complaint against the provincial government-run Western Pangasinan District Hospital after his wife Alma died during her checkup.
Documents from the hospital said the woman died from pre-eclampsia, along with her unborn baby.
“We just received the complaint, and we are currently investigating the matter,” De Guzman said.
Excluding the ongoing case, there are currently 10 cases of maternal deaths in the province from January until the first week of July this year.
This, however, is lower than the 24 maternal deaths recorded during the same period last year.
“They should do it (check-up) monthly. Some complications may arise during the earlier or latter part of pregnancy, and the best way to avoid maternal death is to regularly monitor the mother’s health,” De Guzman said.
According to medical experts, pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, plus signs of damage to another organ system, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks), or soon after the baby is delivered. (PNA)
