PhilHealth to LGUs: Aid pregnant women

CLARK FREEPORT—To help lower the number of deaths among pregnant women, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Central Luzon has asked local governments to allocate at least P1,500 for every pregnant woman in the agency’s maternal care program.

The money is intended for fare and meals of women in addition to the antenatal care (P1,500), maternity care (P6,500 to P8,000), normal spontaneous delivery (P5,000 to P6,500) or newborn care (P1,750), which are all charged to the national health insurance program.

Walter Bacareza, PhilHealth regional vice president, said the agency sought help because maternal deaths remained high at 160 for every 10,000 pregnant women. —TONETTE OREJAS