Danao City asks senator’s help on birthing center construction

CEBU, Philippines - The Danao City Council has passed a resolution requesting Senator Pia Cayetano to provide financial assistance amounting to P2.5million for the construction of a health/birthing center in mountain barangays of the city.

Vice Mayor Ramon "Red" Durano VI and members of the City Council said the construction of a birthing center to address the needs of pregnant women living at the mountain areas needs immediate attention from the higher government levels.

One of the challenges of the Department of Health Millennium Development Goals, according to the City Council's resolution, is to reduce maternal mortality rate and neonatal death.

The resolution further said that every delivery shall be facility-based and managed by skilled birth attendants. It further said that the new health paradigm considers that "all pregnancies are at risk."

The members of the City Council said that the catchment area in the barangays of Langosig, Licos, Togonon, Sta. Rosa and Ibo are far flung places where the need of having an immediate obstetrical emergency care (health or birthing station) has yet to be delivered.

Extending the basic medical services closer to the people is one of the thrusts of the administration of Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III.

However, city officials believe that Cayetano's positive response on their request is a welcomed solution to the problem.  (FREEMAN)