Poe: Right to health of women, children should be pandemic-proof

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Grace Poe. (Screengrab/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The right of women and children to health and nutrition should be “pandemic-proof,” Senator Grace Poe said Monday.

Poe made the remark after the Department of Health (DOH) recently said that pregnant women faced many challenges due to the pandemic, with quarantine restrictions affecting the delivery and utilization of maternal care services.

“No challenge should be insurmountable in providing mothers, especially the disadvantaged, the needed assistance and in giving every child a fair chance in life,” Poe, who chairs the committee on public services, said in a statement.

“The health crisis should serve as an insight to find ways to continue the delivery of services in the face of unforeseen circumstances. The right to health and nutrition of women and children must be pandemic-proof. To neglect them is to fail our country’s future,” the senator added.

Poe said that the government should ensure the provision of safe and high-quality care to pregnant mothers and babies.

The senator authored Republic Act No. 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act” which institutionalized public school-based feeding programs for kindergarten to Grade 6 students.

Poe also served as the main author of Republic Act No. 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act ” which provides for a comprehensive nutrition and healthcare program for pregnant women and their newborn children from Day 1 to 1,000 days in every barangay.

“With or without the pandemic, the government is tasked to provide essential, safe and high-quality care to pregnant mothers and babies,” Poe said.

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