Mothers and mothers-to-be flocked to the house of local midwife Adoracion F. Galo in the quiet barangay of Sanlibo on Wednesday, July 19, to hear the lecture of Municipal Health Officer Dr. Paz Vallo on teenage pregnancy health and nutrition as well as family planning. The lecture is in line with the theme of this year’s celebration of National Nutrition Month, “Healthy Diet, Gawing Habit for Life.”

According to Galo, there have been 64 pregnant women in their barangay from January to July this year, the youngest being a 14-year-old student. The topics that Dr. Vallo discussed include the things that mothers should do to take good care of the babies in their wombs and the benefits they stand to gain from PhilHealth. She encouraged the mothers to go to the RHU1 to avail of free birth.

DOH nurses Eurika Fernandez and Jessie Herera led the lecture on family planning, answering the queries of the 39 mothers who were in attendance.

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Galo noted that the number of women giving birth at home is decreasing. However, she is dismayed by the fact that poverty has been a hindrance to many of the mothers in their barangay, adding that some of them cannot afford the fare going to RHU 1 so they end up giving birth at home. She said that she offers help to those who are having trouble getting to the RHU and that the Barangay Patrol in Sanlibo can be of help to them.

Rogelyn, a 22-year-old who will soon be having her first child, said that the lecture has been helpful in disseminating important information about pregnancy and family planning.

Municipal Nutritionist Venus Bueno said that the team conducts these lectures regularly, and other barangays are to be the next target beneficiaries.