PH one of the worst countries to be a mother–report

Photo: Facebook Page of Maternal Health

A new report said that the Philippines is among the worst countries to be a mother in Southeast Asia–and a big factor to it was the recent destruction caused by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.

According to the report of “State of the World’s Mothers” released by international organization Save the Children on Tuesday, May 6, the number of deaths among children under five years old, mostly within a month after birth, is increasing.

“These mostly preventable deaths are likely to have risen in number following Typhoon Yolanda—and are likely to have affected newborn girls disproportionately,” the report said.

Out of 178 countries, the Philippines ranked 105th.

In the region, it ranked as the fifth worst country to be a mother, falling behind Singapore (15th), Malaysia (68th), Thailand (72nd) and Vietnam (93rd).

No full medical care was being given to up to 45,000 newborns because most clinics have been damaged by the super typhoon, Save the Children Philippines Country Director Ned Olney said.

And so, Save the Children has decided to launch a program aimed at giving away kits with birthing essentials and care of newborns which contain plastic sheets, tarpaulin, clean towels, a lamp, other birthing paraphernalia and a blank form for birth certificates.

“We simply must all work harder to help communities prepare for disasters and protect pregnant women and newborns, the most vulnerable members of our communities,” Olney said.

With report from Yahoo Philippines