Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeir (Screengrab from PTV-4)
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) urged on Friday pregnant women to give birth in hospitals, birthing clinics, and other health facilities amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
"Pinapaalala po namin na hindi po ideal ang panganganak sa bahay, mariin po naming ipinapayo na manganak sa birthing clinic o sa isang ospital upang masiguro ang inyong kaligtasan (We are reminding you that giving birth at home is not ideal. We strongly recommend giving birth at a birthing clinic or a hospital to ensure your safety)," DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing on Friday.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Vergeire said the health department is doing its best to continue providing health services to pregnant women.
"Sa kabila ng pandemyang ito, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang serbisyo ng ating mga rural health clinics at birthing facilities, nais po naming siguruhin ang inyong kaligtasan (Despite this pandemic, our rural health clinics and birthing facilities provide continuous services because we want to ensure your safety)," she said
The health department, she said, assures that hospitals have enough infection prevention and control measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in their facilities.
"Ipinapayo po namin sa nanay at mag-asawa, planuhin kasama ng inyong doktor o midwife ang inyong panganganak sa birthing facility o ospital. Huwag po kayong matakot na baka mahawa kayo ng Covid-19 (We advise the mothers and couples to plan the child delivery with your doctor and midwife in a birthing facility or hospital. Don't be afraid you might get infected with Covid-19)," she said.
Meanwhile, Vergeire urged the barangay or local officials to provide transportation for the expecting mothers going to birthing clinics or hospitals.
"Gayundin po, siguraduhin din sana natin na may masasakyan ang bagong panganak na nanay at ang kanyang bagong silang na sanggol pauwi sa kanilang bahay mula sa paanakan o sa ospital (Let's make sure there are vehicles provided for the mother and the newborn baby going to their home from the birthing center or hospital)," she said.
Local government units, she said, should help the DOH to ensure the provision of health services to pregnant women and maintaining the full operation of the birthing clinics and hospital maternity wards in their provinces, municipalities, and cities, especially in these trying times.
"Sa panahong Covid-19, mahalagang maipagpatuloy ang mga serbisyong medikal lalo na sa mga nanay katulad ng pre-natal check-up, panganganak sa health facilities at family planning (In this Covid-19 crisis, it is necessary to continue providing medical services, especially to the expecting mothers such as pre-natal check-up, giving birth to health facilities and family planning)," Vergerie said. (PNA)
