Health Connect Forum Pushes for Stronger Maternal and Newborn Health Programs

The Health Connect Forum, hosted by Dr. Eric Tayag, former Department of Health Undersecretary and past president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), brought together medical experts, local government health leaders, and a representative from a mom-focused online community.

The unified goal: to promote healthier pregnancies and safer births through collaborative action.

Themed “Pag Healthy si Mommy, Protektado si Baby!”, the event was organized by the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), and PFV. It supports both the Department of Health’s Safe Motherhood Program and WHO’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, which targets a global maternal mortality rate of fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Collaborative Call for Action

In his welcome remarks, Teodoro Padilla, Executive Director of PHAP, emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration to protect mothers and babies from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).

“When we invest in maternal health, we invest in the potential of future generations,” he said.

Despite improvements, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported 1,868 maternal deaths and over 21,000 infant deaths recently. These are largely preventable with timely and quality prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Expert Insights on Vaccination and Maternal Health

Dr. Martha Millar-Aquino, President of the Philippine Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (PIDSOG), stressed that pregnancy increases susceptibility to severe flu and respiratory infections.

She advocated for Tdap and flu vaccines during pregnancy to help mothers pass protective antibodies to their infants, shielding them in their first few months.

To address these gaps, Senate Bill No. 1416, titled An Act Safeguarding the Health of Filipino Mothers at the Time of Their Childbirth, was introduced in 2022 and is under congressional review.

Local Government Efforts in Maternal Health

In Davao del Norte, Dr. Josephine Parreñas, Provincial Health Officer I, reported a drop in the maternal mortality ratio from 70.1 per 100,000 live births in 2020 to 58.3 in 2022.

Key programs contributing to this success include:

Quarterly maternal death reviews to identify healthcare gaps
The Provincial Buntis Congress, offering maternal education and services
A strong referral system connecting barangay health stations to hospitals
Ongoing health worker training and capacity-building

In Makati City, Dr. Johanne Florence Legaspi, Assistant City Health Officer, shared how the Makati Health Plus and Baby Makatizen programs provide free micronutrients, lab tests, hospitalization, and vaccines.

“We continue investing, expanding access, and strengthening private-sector collaboration in line with our shared vision with the Department of Health,” she said.

Role of Healthcare Workers and Peer Support

Dr. Eric Tayag emphasized the need to include vaccination concerns in patient records.

“We must not only record vital signs and findings, but also address missed doses and vaccine hesitancy to ensure access when vaccines are available,” he stated.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, PFV Executive Director, reminded attendees that vaccines are cost-effective and life-saving.

“Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools to protect health, especially during pregnancy,” she noted.

Representing mothers, Erika Jane Viray, founder of Moms Support Moms PH, highlighted how real stories from fellow mothers help spread trustworthy health information.

“We uplift one another, share credible experiences, and support vaccine confidence,” she said.

A Unified Call to Action

The forum concluded with a clear message: strengthen maternal health policies, expand vaccine access, improve prenatal and postpartum care, and foster deeper partnerships across government, the private sector, and medical organizations.

The webinar was livestreamed via the official PHAP, PMA, and PFV Facebook pages.