Drop in Maternal and Newborn Deaths marks 8th week of EINC in General Santos City

Dr. Orlando Marius Oco Jr., Chairperson of the Local Health Board of General Santos City said they were encouraged by the feedback that there has been a dramatic drop in the NICU admissions, decreasing rates of preterm and sepsis deaths and an overall decrease in maternal and newborn deaths after 8 weeks of implementation of the EINC Scale Up Project.

Dr. Oca said this as he welcomed the participants, project staff, conveners and resource speakers of the orientation workshop on Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care last May 25, 2011.Dr. Oca cited the recent world health report which seeks to make every mother and child count. The United Nation says that almost 11 million children under 5 years of age will die from causes that are largely preventable. Among them are 4 million babies who will not survive the first month of life. At the same time, more than half a million women will die during pregnancy or childbirth. The report says that reducing this toll in line with the Millennium Development Goals depends largely on every mother and every child having the right access to healthcare from pregnancy through childbirth, the neonatal period and childhood.

The Health Board Chair said the City of General Santos was grateful that General Santos City Hospital had been identified by the Department of Health as the collaborating institution in the SOCCSKARGEN Region to implement the Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care protocol in the area.

More than 500 health professionals from General Santos City, Kidapawan, Sultan Kudarat, Tacurong, Polomoloketc braved the rains to attend the EINC orientation workshop held over 3 days at the Lagao Auditorium in General Santos City.

He ended his welcome by reminding the health professions that “we do not rest on our laurels or wallow in defeat, we will take honor in this opportunity to learn and serve and in this privilege to host this workshop”. And with the warm salutation “ You are in the home of the Generals!!!Good day to all and “ Magandang Gensan”!