BETTER HEALTH SERVICES. Department of Health assistant regional director Dr. Leda Hernandez (second from left) reported on the progress of major health indicators in Calabarzon during the 'Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas' held at Hotel Marciano in Calamba City on Tuesday (July 2, 2024). The region saw less infant and mother mortalities from June 2022 to June 2024, thanks in part to more government interventions. (PNA photo by Zen Trinidad)
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 4A (Calabarzon) reported that the government’s various interventions have resulted in much lower infant mortalities and higher survival rates for dengue and tuberculosis (TB) patients.
During Tuesday’s "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" held at Hotel Marciano in this city, DOH Assistant Regional Director Dr. Leda Hernandez said that during the June 2022 to June 2024 period, her office has recorded lower child and mother mortalities than what the government hoped to achieve.
She said infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births dropped to nine from the targeted 15, while maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births decreased to 42 from the target of 70.
Similarly, the under-five mortality rate per 1,000 live births decreased to 12 from the target of 25.
Regarding stunting (impaired child growth) prevalence, it was reduced to 6 percent from the targeted 13.5 percent.
Hernandez also reported that the percentage of facility-based deliveries (hospital birth) has increased to 92 percent, surpassing the target of 90 percent.
Meanwhile, in tuberculosis management, the case notification rate per 100,000 population has risen to 613 from the baseline target of 499, with a TB treatment success rate of 93 percent – up from the baseline of 90 percent.
The “notification rate” or simply the timely diagnosis of TB is seen as they key element to its effective treatment.
Further, the dengue incidence rate per 10,000 population has significantly decreased to 14 percent from the previous baseline of less than 60 percent.
Hernandez also highlighted improvements in access to essential services, noting that 96 percent of households now have access to safe water, exceeding the target of 94 percent while 93 percent have sanitary toilet facilities, surpassing the target of 91 percent.
"The achievements, whether in increasing or reducing figures based on targets, are the result of effective resource management by the agency and the cooperation of local government unit (LGU) leaders across the region," the DOH official said.
She added Calabarzon has been malaria-free since 2022 and was recognized as the top region for child vaccination during the Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity campaign. (PNA)
