Guiuan town counts on new health center to attain zero, maternal, child mortalit

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar, June 23 (PNA) -- The town health officer here has expressed optimism to achieve zero maternal and infant mortality with the rehabilitation of the rural health center.

Ma. Socorro Flores, the town’s health officer said the reconstructed facility will improve the health-seeking behavior of locals.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development reconstructed the health center under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS, a poverty alleviation program of the national government funded by the Asian Development Bank and grant provided by Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

“They know that there is an existing rural health unit, there is a midwife, they should use this opportunity to seek medical assistance with the assistance of professional health workers,” Flores said.

Flores disclosed that in the past five years, Guiuan town had recorded only two maternal deaths. The first victim was a teenage girl, who hid her pregnancy that resulted to complications.

Although cases of maternal death is very rare in this town, the health official has expressed concern over rising cases of teenage pregnancy. Last year, Guiuan recorded 132 cases 14 years old as the youngest.

“We want to maintain the status of zero-maternal death. We want each pregnant woman to avail the services of this birthing center,” said Flores.

Flores told the PNA that aside from being a birthing facility, the health center will also provide full package of dental services, laboratory services such as hematology analyzer, service for mental health patients.

There is also a teen center that will serve as venue for teenagers to meet and discuss problems they are going through with their peer groups.

Common illnesses that the rural health unit receives from patients are pneumonia and respiratory infections. The rural health unit also noted an increase in the number of patients with non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/RTA/EGR