Marikina tightens standards for birthing clinics

The Marikina city government has issued an ordinance mandating tighter operating regulations for birthing clinics in the city.

In a statement, the local government said that Ordinance 31, series of 2012, aims to ensure that birthing clinics are clean, comfortable and have adequate equipment and facilities.

Mayor Del de Guzman said that the ordinance was enacted in response to the city’s rising maternal, infant and neonatal mortality rates.

City Health Office records showed that seven maternal deaths and 20 infant and neonatal deaths were recorded last year which were blamed on the mismanagement of birthing and maternity lying-in clinic.

Under the new ordinance, the City Health Office, Business Permits and Licensing Office and City Environmental Management Office will inspect all birthing and lying-in clinics in the city to check for compliance with the ordinance’s prescribed guidelines on infrastructure, equipment, supplies and medicine. Nathaniel R. Melican