Senator Bong Go expressed deep concern over the recent increase in maternal deaths in Northern Mindanao, following the Department of Health’s (DOH) warning that more women–many of them young or first-time mothers–are dying from preventable childbirth complications. He called for urgent and sustained interventions to strengthen prenatal and postnatal care services, especially in rural and geographically isolated areas.
Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized that improving maternal health outcomes must remain a priority in both policymaking and public service delivery.
“Hindi dapat may nawawalan ng buhay sa panganganak, lalo na kung maagapan ito sa tamang impormasyon at maayos na serbisyo mula sa gobyerno,” the legislator said.
“Kaya isinusulong natin ang implementasyon ng mga programang nakatutok sa kalusugan ng mga ina at sanggol,” the lawmaker added.
This comes in the wake of reports from DOH Region X citing a troubling rise in maternal mortality.
“Region X recorded a maternal mortality rate of 5.5 per 100,000 live births.”
In 2023, Region X recorded a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 5.5 per 100,000 live births–the highest in five years and significantly above the previous year’s rate of 4.1.
Among the victims was 27-year-old Almera Andagao from Pigsag-an, who died two days after being brought to a Cagayan de Oro City hospital following childbirth complications.
DOH officials attributed the spike to inadequate prenatal care and a lack of access to skilled healthcare providers. The DOH’s Family Health Cluster highlighted the importance of the “1-2-5” prenatal checkup schedule–one visit in the first trimester, two in the second, and five in the third–as part of its Safe Motherhood Initiative.
However, they noted that many women, particularly in far-flung areas, do not complete these vital consultations.
“Kapag malayo ang health center, kadalasan hindi na nagpapa-check up ang mga buntis,” the senator lamented. “Ito ang gusto nating solusyunan sa pamamagitan ng mga isinusulong nating Super Health Center.”
Super Health Centers (SHCs) are his initiative to bring primary care services–including maternal checkups, consultations, and early detection–closer to communities. Go emphasized that many of these centers will also feature birthing facilities to better serve mothers in underserved and remote communities.
Over 700 SHCs have been funded for construction nationwide through coordinated efforts with the DOH, fellow lawmakers and local governments.
“Isa sa mga solusyon ang pagtatayo ng mas maraming Super Health Centers sa mga lugar na malalayo sa mga ospital,” he emphasized. “Kung malapit lang ang serbisyo, mas marami ang magpapa-check-up. Mas maraming buhay ang maliligtas.”
Go also reiterated the importance of institutional support through Republic Act No. 11148, or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,” passed during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. This law targets the health and nutrition needs of mothers and children during the first 1,000 days of life–a period widely recognized as critical for long-term physical and cognitive development.
“Financial barriers must not prevent poor mothers from seeking care.”
He further noted that financial barriers must not prevent poor mothers from seeking care. As principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, Go institutionalized a one-stop-shop system that helps patients access various government medical assistance programs.
To date, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, serving over 17 million Filipinos, according to DOH data.
Beyond maternal health, he also expressed support for reproductive health awareness and disease prevention measures, especially those concerning the human papillomavirus (HPV). Based on government data in Northern Mindanao, nearly 94% of eligible girls aged 9 to 12 received HPV vaccines through the DOH and Department of Education’s “Bakuna Eskwela” program, aiming to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Go said the effort demonstrates that government and community cooperation can yield results when health services are brought closer to the people. He encouraged similar efforts nationwide.
Go concluded by reiterating his commitment to push for needed legislation that would further expand maternal and child health services, institutionalize preventive care protocols, and support the nationwide rollout of primary healthcare facilities in the grassroots.
“For my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must work together to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he declared during his proclamation as a re-elected senator.
