M’LANG, North Cotabato, Feb. 18 (PNA) – – This municipality for five consecutive years reported zero maternal deaths, as the local government unit bolstered the establishment of birthing centers even in the remote villages here.
Dr. Glecerio Sotea, municipal health officer, said that of 37 villages comprising the town of M’lang, 20 villages so far have their own birthing stations that cater to the needs of pregnant mothers, including child delivery services.
Sotea also claimed that M’lang currently has the most number of birthing centers compared to other towns, including the province’s component city of Kidapawan.
To date, he said the establishment of birthing centers in villages here has reduced home deliveries from 55 percent to six percent.
“With the robust campaign of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and help of the village midwives, we are hoping to eliminate home deliveries soon,” Sotea said.
He noted that home deliveries are still prevalent among indigenous people communities but ongoing information campaigns on the dangers of home deliveries are now being advanced in the concerned areas.
Each of the 37 villages here has its own midwife and health worker that caters the health needs of villagers.
The town also boasts of a standby ambulance that would ferry patients to the nearest health facility.
On Feb. 15, a modern birthing center was inaugurated here in Barangay Poblacion equipped with the latest apparatus.
The facility is open for 24 hours and manned with medical staff.
The project was realized through a funding support extended by Department of Health with a counterpart amount from the local government. (PNA)