In line with the celebration of 48th Nutrition Month and the 453rd Foundation Anniversary of its municipality, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nabua, through their Municipal Health Office (MHO) and Municipal Nutrition Action Office (MNAO), spearheaded Buntis Congress 2022 at the Regal Plaza Hotel Function Hall on July 27, 2022.
The Buntis Congress is aimed in promoting safe motherhood and is a part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) special breakthrough activities in support of its Universal Health Care- High Impact 5 (UHC-Hi-5) strategy that focuses on five critical interventions targeting the poor.
“It is very important to conduct Buntis Congress because some of our pregnant mothers are not able to visit our health centers. With this congress, they can learn more, especially our first-time moms, regarding proper and healthy pregnancy,” explained Jesse Ian Roy Oñate, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer of LGU Nabua.
To help educate and raise awareness among pregnant mothers, especially first-time mothers, regarding their obligation and rights, the Buntis Congress tackled four (4) highly important topics on pregnancy and motherhood namely Maternal Health and Child Care, Family Planning, Proper Breastfeeding and Salient Points of Executive Order 51, and the Salient Points on RA 11148 or the Kalusugan ng Magnanay Act.
The target groups for the congress are the nutritionally-at-risks, first-time, and teenage pregnant mothers. Over 150 participants attended the program. Each of the participant received a Buntis Kit which included adult diapers, alcohol, baby soap, and cotton balls.
To extend its support, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) sent their medical team to provide free prenatal care to the participants. Ultrasound in private clinics and hospitals are costly that is why the participants took the opportunity to avail of the free checkup and ultrasound offered by the province’s medical team. They were also given free medicines and vitamins.
Aiza Palcon of Tandaay, Nabua is six months along her second pregnancy. When she learned of the free medical service available during the program, she was truly delighted. “Thank you dahil na-avail ko ang free ultrasound dito at nabigyan pa ako ng mga gamot at vitamins. Malaking tulong po ito sa akin kasi hindi pa ako nakakapa-ultrasound talaga,” shared Palcon. She was also grateful because she no longer had to spend money for checkup and ultrasound in private clinic and can instead use the amount for the daily needs of her family.
The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur is steadfast in providing quality healthcare services to all its people that is why the LGU Nabua and the facilitators and participants of the Buntis Congress are extremely grateful for the support of the province.
“The partnership and support from the provincial government is very important and a big help to us and our participants. Our LGU has no sufficient resources to give prenatal care, but with the support and services of the Provincial Government, we were able to provide it during the congress,” furthered Oñate.
