KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — For every 10 children born in SOCCSKSARGEN Region, eight are delivered in health facilities and are attended by skilled health professionals, according to the findings of the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) implemented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

Engr. Belinda Penuela, chief statistical specialist of PSA XII, who reported on the results on maternal health and child status of the 2022 NDHS in the regional data dissemination forum last week, noted that the number of health facility-based deliveries in SOCCSKSARGEN Region increased almost sixfold over the past three decades, from 14% in 1993 to 82% in 2022. 

Over the same period, the number of deliveries done at home decreased from 86% in 1993 to 16% in 2022. 

“Giving birth at a hospital with skilled assistance reduces the risk of compromising a woman’s health as well as that of a newborn,” Engr. Penuela explained. 

Since the last NDHS in 2017, the number of women choosing to give birth in hospitals or any health facility with skilled assistance also grew by 6%, while those who had their deliveries at home decreased by 8%. 

Data also show that 8 in every 10 births in SOCCSKSARGEN were delivered by skilled workers: 41% by midwives, 32% by doctors, and 11% by nurses. 

Moreover, over 70% of women and 73% of newborns in the region received postnatal care within 2 days of delivery, also from doctors, midwives, and nurses. 

As to access, 88% of the respondents said it would only take under 30 minutes to travel to the nearest health facility. 

“Health care services during pregnancy, childbirth, and after delivery are important for the survival and well-being of both the mother and the infant,” she said. 

Rohanna Mua, health program researcher at the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Soccsksargen (DOH-CHD XII), attributed Region 12’s successes in maternal and child care to the stronger participation of the local government units (LGU) in providing health services. 

Mua noted that Region 12 has experienced a decrease in maternal deaths because of several factors, including high coverage in antenatal care visits, an increase in facility-based deliveries, an increase in the number of basic emergency and obstetric newborn care (BEmONC) health care providers, and an increase in the number of birthing home facilities. 

“It is a good thing that our local government units have been funding their health care staff for BEmONC training,” Mua said. 

Mua explained further that the majority of LGUs in Region 12 have passed ordinances promoting health facility-based deliveries, assisted by skilled birth attendants.

The LGUs also follow Department Memorandum 2021-0005, restricting deliveries to be accommodated in birthing homes for G2 (second-born child) to G4 (fourth-born) or 20 to 34 years old and requiring referral to hospitals for those giving birth to their first child and those in G5 or those giving birth to their fifth child and above, she added.

“Pregnant teens 19 years old and below, as well as those who are 35 years old and above, and those with high-risk pregnancy, should be referred to hospitals for their delivery,” she said. 

Postnatal care is also assured, with barangay health workers doing visits to check the conditions of mothers and their newborn babies. 

DED – PIA SOCCSKSARGEN