INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar has strongly called for a Congressional inquiry into the disturbing increase in maternal deaths, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to establish programs that meet the needs of women.
Villar on Thursday said that she had filed House Resolution No. 1025, asking the Committee on Health, Committee on Women and gender equality, and the Committee on sustainable development goals to look into the rising maternal mortality rate.
“It is the duty of the government to promote programs that are responsive to the needs of the people and to ensure that women in particular — and the public in general — have equal access and easy access to adequate healthcare programs,” she said in a statement.
“It is imperative to institute reforms with the way the present state of affairs of the country’s healthcare is being run, rethink present strategies, and support key programs for reproductive health,” she added.
The lawmaker cited a report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines which showed 2,478 pregnant women died while giving birth in 2021 — more than double 2019’s 1,458 maternal deaths.
Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane, the country representative of the UNFPA Philippines, said that this translates to around six or seven mothers dying daily due to childbirth.
“The ratio of Filipino women dying from pregnancy-related causes in 2021 stood at 189.21 per 100,000 live births. Fourteen percent of pregnant women did not receive necessary medical care, including regular checkups during their pregnancy, while one in 10 women was also unable to access health facilities nor assistance from skilled healthcare personnel during childbirth,” Villar said.
“The rising pregnancy-related deaths underscores the maternal mortality crisis in the Philippines and (calls) on the government to ensure easier access to a full range of reproductive health care services,” she added.
Villar filed the resolution last May 24. However, it remained pending with the Committee on rules since May 29, as Congress focused on priority bills towards the end of the first regular session.
Congress would resume its session on July 24 before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address. Traditionally, the House and the Senate resume legislative work a day after the Sona.
Villar pointed out that under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by countries including the Philippines, nations are mandated to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2023, or the deadline of the SDGs. With reports from Kirsten Segui, INQUIRER.net trainee)