NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Philippines—The provincial government on Wednesday launched a family health book under a special program aimed at helping mothers and families learn and understand proper health care, officials said.

“The book, written in English and Cebuano, was launched as an innovation in the campaign to empower mothers and as a response to the high number of mothers and babies dying due to preventable health causes in the province,” Gov. Arturo Uy said.

Compostela Valley has been pouring massive resources on health care but Uy said these deaths still occurred.

He said the provincial government has come out with the book, with the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Center for Health Development of the Department of Health in Southern Mindanao, to teach and remind families about the importance of good health.

“Written in English and Cebuano, the book provides essential information to families especially on maternal and child care,” he said.

Dr. Daphne Panganiban, the health program’s provincial coordinator, said the book contains tips and plans on such topics as family planning, pregnancy, immunization, sick child care and others.

Panganiban said under the program, they were aiming to distribute 6,000 copies of the book to selected mothers in the towns of Maco, Mabini, Compostela and Montevista.

She said these were considered pilot areas because of the high mother and infant mortality rates there.

“After this program, we’re hoping to see happy families and a healthy province,” she said.

Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao