Belmonte orders tight watch on birth clinics

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ordered yesterday a tight watch over the proliferation of private birthing clinics in the city’s second district following reports of an increase in maternal deaths in the city.

From January to June 30, the city health department recorded 15 maternal deaths, 12 of which occurred in District 2, particularly in the areas of Payatas and Novaliches.

Belmonte told the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to check if the birthing clinics have proper permits in order to protect their clients against medical malpractice.

A technical working group composed of representatives from Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), city health department and the BPLO was formed to oversee the clinics’ compliance with standard operating procedures.

As of February, Philhealth has accredited only 21 birthing clinics in the city, including lying-in clinics managed by the city government.

Based on the records of the city health department, over 100 private birthing clinics are operating in city, of which 73 are located in District 2.

This district has the most number of urban poor families in Quezon City. Among the barangays covered by this district are Payatas, Bagong Silangan, Batasan Hills, Commonwealth and Novaliches.

City health officer Dr. Antonieta Inumerable said the absence of maternal and children’s hospitals in District 2 contributed to the increase in midwives, including traditional “hilots.”

The city government sets aside P12 million annually for the effective delivery of maternal health services to the grassroots level.