Bacolod City (CNN Philippines) — Negros Occidental topped the provinces in Western Visayas in maternal deaths upon delivery, according to Dr. Marlyn Concovar, regional director of Department of Health-6 (DOH).
Based on the 2015 data of DOH-6, in terms of maternal mortality ratio or mothers dying during child birth, Negros Occidental has an accomplishment of 102.27 per 100,000 live births, Concovar said.
She added that Negros Occidental’s mortality ratio is higher compared to the regional average of 90 per 100,000 live births.
Records showed that Iloilo City has 201.10 per 100,000 live births, Bacolod City has 147.26, Antique has 64.71, Aklan has 58.48, Capiz has 50.74, Iloilo province has 44.17, and Guimaras has 41.79.
The leading causes of deaths among mothers are post partum hemorrhage, hypertension, and low pre-natal care, Concovar said that only 52-percent of mothers in Western Visayas undergo pre-natal care.
Dr. Julius Drilon, chief of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, said the government is doing a “head on collision” on this problem.
“Our target is to lower down maternal mortality ratio to less than 52 percent. We are doing everything we can without sacrificing quality of service,” Drilon added.
