A public hearing on the proposed ordinance that seeks to ban the practice of traditional homebirth delivery or birth attended by a paltera (midwife) was attended by about l00 residents from the city’s 6l barangays recently.

The hearing, held at the Masskara Hall of the Bacolod City Government Center, was also attended by proponent Councilor Em Ang, Dr. Evelyn Lacson, regional director of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, and Dr. Henrietta Lucasan, FPOGS Bacolod Chapter vice president, a press release from the city said.

Ang cited the dangers of house birth like infection after delivery, absence of pre-natal check-ups and medical facilities that can lead to the death of the mother and even the child in some cases.

She said that women who do not have any source of income are being subsidized by the city government, complemented by PhilHealth cards, for the needed hospital delivery, the press release said.

Lucasan said that midwives and nurses of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital undergo training in childbirth for quality delivery and counseling for expectant mothers. She expressed concern over pregnant mothers residing in remote areas who may not avail of the services of trained personnel.

She called on those who have undergone training to share what they have learned and to echo the dangers of home childbirth.

Lacson emphasized the importance of child delivery in the hospital where emergency facilities and appropriate medications for expectant mothers are available.

Dr. May Irene Espino of the Lying-In Clinic said the birthing facility at the Bacolod City Health compound only admits mothers l8-years old and above and those first born delivery.

She added that non-PhilHealth members are charged P1,800 while PhilHealth members only pay Pl00. More complicated cases are endorsed to the CLMMH, the press release added.*

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