162 mothers die in every 10,000 births

A recent family planning survey showed that 162 out of 10,000 mothers die in childbirth and 24 out of 1,000 babies are stillborn or die soon after birth, a female lawmaker supporting the reproductive health bill at the House of Representatives disclosed yesterday.

Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza cited the recent National Demographic and Health Survey, where 14 percent of all deaths among Filipino women may be attributed to pregnancy or to childbirth complications.

“This is the most compelling reason why we absolutely support the bill. This is really all about redeeming our women and children,” she said, adding that the bill would go a long way in addressing the country’s unusually high maternal as well as infant mortality rates.

The Mindanao lawmaker cited the last Family Planning Survey, which showed that 162 mothers die out of every 10,000 births. “Our infant mortality is also unacceptably high at 24 out of every 1,000 live births.”

Taliño-Mendoza lamented that the “lack of reproductive health education and poor access to safe and modern family planning methods have been key factors driving the elevated mortality rates.”

“There is no question that once we heighten public awareness of reproductive health, advance responsible parenthood and encourage family planning, we will also reduce unwanted pregnancies and lessen the risk of both maternal and infant mortality,” she said.

“We really have to reach out to adolescent girls, who now comprise three out of every 10 pregnant Filipino women,” Mendoza added.

A study by the health department showed that “three out of every four maternal deaths happen to very young women 15 to 19 years old.”

The latest National Demographic and Health Survey also indicated that nearly 10 percent of all Filipino women aged 15 to 19 have already given birth. “Filipinos are ready to embrace responsible parenthood and family planning.”

A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that 92 percent of Filipinos say it is important for them to plan their families and control fertility.

An overwhelming majority of Filipinos or 89 percent also want the government to fund modern family planning methods.

Taliño-Mendoza said she supports a dialogue between congressional and Church leaders over House Bill 5043, which is now the subject of plenary debate at the House.

“I am a devout Catholic. I totally respect the Church’s position on the bill. In my case, I support the bill because it is pro-women and pro-children, regardless of their religion,” she said.