by Vency D. Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao (20 October) -- In line with the national government's effort of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, the stakeholders here convened to evaluate the implementation of the program.

Implemented in the three municipalities of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista and Mayoyao as pilot areas in 2006, by the local health department and the Japan International Cooperation Agency- Maternal and Child Health. (JICA-MCH), Dra. Mary Jo Dulawan, the Provincial Health Officer said there was an increased awareness of communities and policy makers on the importance of safe motherhood.

Dra. Dulawan also noted that the local health workers were able to train service provider for various Emergency Obstetric Care (EMOC) related program and supplies, equipments and ambulance.

"We were able to expand membership of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) related structures, organization to assist in the implementation of the MCH Project at all levels," Dulawan said.

She said that through the cooperation of the provincial government, the municipal and barangay local governments, a complementary relationship among donor agencies avoided duplication of services and inclusion of plans into the Province wide Investment Plan for Health (PIPH) and sustained the functionality of the Alfonso Lista, Mayoyao,Aguinaldo District Health System (AMADHS) by giving a counterpart start up fund contribution from each LGU of 100,000.00 pesos totalling to P300,000.00 for the Inter Health Zone.

Dulawan also said that the program strengthened the integration of services of the LGU related to health and nutrition at the grassroots during the Safe Motherhood Campaign, such as social welfare services, dental, agriculture and nutrition services.

"Our Health Workers were able to conduct barangay campaign on safe Motherhood Cum Fun Day to 51 barangays of the said 3 municipalities, " Dulawan said.