SORSOGON CITY, (PNA– A Sorsogon congressman is calling for the standardization of mother and newborn care services and adoption of evidence-based interventions in government hospitals in Bicol to help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in the region.
This can be done through the adoption of the Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) program in regional, provincial or district hospitals in Bicol, said Sorsogon Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr. (2nd District) here on Friday.
EINC is a set of practices that reduce maternal and newborn mortality rate.
It also strengthens health facility environment for breastfeeding initiation to take place and for the practice to be continued from discharge up to two years of life.
It is done by initial breastfeeding a few moments after the delivery of the baby and strict prohibition of bottle feeding inside the hospital as well as encouragement of breastfeeding.
The program ensures access of newborns to affordable life-saving medicines to reduce deaths and morbidity from leading causes of newborn conditions through the application of Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, injection of Phytomenadione and vaccines after the infant is fully breastfed to ensure healthy future of the infant.
It also ensures inclusion of newborn care in the overall approach to the Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition Strategy.
“Bicol faces a great challenge in lowering maternal and infant deaths. There is an immediate need to identify barriers, standardize maternal and newborn care services and strengthen the health system in the region so expectant mothers and newborns receive the highest standard of care in government and private hospitals,” Ramos stressed.