Latest news with #CommissiononPopulationandDevelopment
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Medical advocacy groups call on gov't to suspend UHC amendments
A group of medical professionals have called on the government to defer the passage of proposed amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and not to lower premium PhilHealth contributions. In a press conference at Quezon City on Thursday, former Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Undersecretary Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III noted that the UHC law has not yet been fully implemented, and that some funds from sin tax collection that have not yet been fully disbursed. 'Ang UHC ay isang batas na binuo sa loob ng 18 taon, halos 20 taon, at pumasa lang noong 2019… Halos hindi na-implement hanggang 2022 ang mga saligang provision ng UHC dahil sa COVID crisis. Ang plano ng DOH at PhilHealth, mag-implement sa ilang pilot area pero sa ngayon wala pang 6 lugar sa Pilipinas ang nag-i-implement ng bahagi ng UHC, so makikita natin hindi pa napapatupad ang batas at hindi pa natin nakikita ang potential,' he shared. (The UHC is a law that was created within 18 years, almost 20 years, and was passed only on 2019… The provisions of UHC was barely implemented until 2022 because of the COVID crisis. The plan of DOH and PhilHealth was to implement in several pilot areas, but until now less than 6 areas of the Philippines have implemented part of the UHC, so you can see that the law has not yet been implemented and we haven't yet seen it's potential.) 'Itong mga nawawalang pondong ito ang issue ngayon. Saan nila nilagay itong perang ito at bakit hindi inilaan sa kailangan na pondo ng PhilHealth?' he added. (These lost funds is the current issue. Where did they place this money and why is it not being allotted for the funds needed by PhilHealth?) Perez slammed the proposal to lower the contributions received by PhilHealth, noting that such move would eventually lead to bankruptcy by 2026. 'Kung ano-ano hadlang ang nangyayari… Lahat, ginigipit ang pondong pumapasok sa PhilHealth. Ang mahalaga rito, kung kulang ang pondo ng PhilHealth, hindi nila mabibigay ang karampatang benepisyo para sa mahirap… So magiging bankrupt na siya talaga o kulang ang pondo talaga para magtuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo,' he said. (There are so many obstacles that have been happening… All of these hold back funds for PhilHealth. What is important here is that if there PhillHealth lack funds, they can not provide the necessary services for the poor… So it will just be bankrupt or lacking in funds to keep the services going.) Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) President Annie Geron echoed Perez's sentiments, stating that the bicameral meetings on the amendments for UHC happened without transparency. Geron noted that the amendments would not benefit the people who actually need the provisions of the law and further exploit medical workers. 'This is without adequate assessment of the law's implementation and without inclusive and meaningful dialogue with workers and other stakeholders. Bakit ba minamadali?... Hindi pa nga nag-de-decision yung Korte Suprema. Bakit hindi maantay yung desisyon sa illegal transfer?' she questioned. (This is without adequate assessment of the law's implementation and without inclusive and meaningful dialogue with workers and other stakeholders. Why exactly is it being rushed?... The Supreme Court hasn't issued a decision yet. Why can't they wait for the decision on the illegal transfer?) She further noted that lowering contributions and removing funds from PhilHealth would mean that workers would have to shoulder costs of the UHC as the primary contributors. 'Inabandona ng gobyerno yung kaniyang obligasyon na maglagay ng pondo para makapagabot ng serbisyo. Anong ibig sabihin niyan sa manggagawa na tulad natin? Tayo magdadala, magpopondo, babalikatin natin, dahil tayo po yung binabawasan ng kontribusyon buwan buwan… Pag zi-nero yung budget, ipinasa satin yung gastusin ng UHC dahil nga di nilagyan ng gobyerno,' she said. (The government has abandoned their obligation to place funds to provide service. What does it mean for workers like us? We will be the ones to carry it, fund it, shoulder it, because we are the ones paying monthly contributions… If the budget is zero, the responsibility of funding the UHC becomes ours because the government didn't fund it.) Philippine Society of Critical Care Medicine Maricar Limpin said the new amendments will only punish the middle and lower class with bigger fees and costs, especially with the working class paying for the contributions. Likhaan Center for Women's Health Executive Director Junice Melgar called on the Senate and Congress to prioritize fair and inclusive reforms that have been thoroughly discussed. The groups hoped for a better outcome in the coming bicameral meetings on the amendments scheduled on June 9 and 10, adding that further protest movements may take place around the Congress and Senate buildings. 'Sana making sila sa panahon na ito, bago mag-Monday, para marinig nila yung boses ng mga manggagawa, mga doctor, mga komunidad na mga sumusuporta talaga sa UHC… Sana yung nakita [na] pangako ng UHC ay patuloy pa rin sundin sa pamamagitan ng buong implementation,' Perez said. (I hope they listen this time, before Monday, so that they can hear the voices of the workers, doctors, and communities that support the UHC… I hope they see the promises of the UHC and continue this through a full implementation.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
See - Sada Elbalad
09-04-2025
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
UNFPA, Partners Launch Midwifery Accelerator to Confront Maternal Health Crisis
Ahmed Emam On World Health Day, and at the opening of the 58th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD58), UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, and global partners launched the Midwifery Accelerator — a coordinated effort to reduce preventable maternal deaths by expanding access to quality care provided by midwives. The launch comes as new UN data confirms that 260,000 women died from pregnancy or childbirth in 2023 — one every two minutes. While this represents a 40% drop since 2000, progress has slowed and remains highly unequal, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. "We can and must end preventable maternal deaths," said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA. 'We have the knowledge and tools to ensure safe births. We now need to step up what works: skilled midwives, quality care, and strong political commitment. This new initiative is about delivering on all three with the urgency they deserve.' Co-led by UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and Jhpiego, and developed with governments, civil society and technical partners, the Midwifery Accelerator provides a clear roadmap for action. It aims to train more midwives, deploy them where they're most needed, and ensure they are well-equipped, supported and integrated into national health systems. In short, it puts midwives at the center of building stronger, more equitable and resilient health systems to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for women and their newborns. UNFPA has long been a global leader in this space, championing midwife-led care as a cornerstone of maternal health. Since 2008, UNFPA has supported over 120 countries to strengthen their midwifery workforce, from education and midwifery schools to workforce development and deployment. Over 600,000 midwives have been trained with UNFPA's support, helping bring life-saving care closer to women and communities. Progress is being seen across the world. Tanzania has reduced maternal deaths by 52%, and Sierra Leone by 79% — clear proof that investments and political will can save lives. In both these countries, midwives play a key role in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes. But these gains are fragile. With massive global funding cuts threatening essential services, countries risk losing hard-won progress. Despite the growing need, midwives remain underfunded, under-paid, undervalued and not adequately deployed. Yet universal access to midwives could prevent over 60% of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths — and every dollar invested in midwifery has the potential of yielding up to a 16-fold return in health and economic benefits, as a study from Morocco shows. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Arts & Culture Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
Jordan News
06-04-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Higher Population Council: 43% of Births in Jordan are Cesarean; Child Marriage Rate Drops to 11% - Jordan News
Higher Population Council: 43% of Births in Jordan are Cesarean; Child Marriage Rate Drops to 11% The Higher Population Council confirmed that maternal and child health are fundamental to the well-being of families and healthy communities. Between 2010 and 2023, Jordan recorded approximately 2.9 million births, representing nearly a quarter of the population. The male-to-female birth ratio stood at 105 male births for every 100 female births. اضافة اعلان In a statement issued on Sunday in conjunction with World Health Day, which is celebrated tomorrow under the theme "Healthy Start for a Bright Future," the Council highlighted that improving the quality of maternal and child healthcare within integrated health systems contributes to ensuring a brighter future for society. The Council also mentioned a position paper titled "Ensuring Healthy Lives and Promoting Well-being for All at All Ages," which will be presented during the 58th Session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations in New York, from April 7 to 11. The statement emphasized the importance of addressing child marriage, which accounted for about 15% of all first-time marriages between 2010 and 2023. This poses significant risks to maternal health, as 4.6% of Jordanian women gave birth to their first child before the age of 18. The Council stressed the need to strengthen healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy, along with health education, proper nutrition, and early screening for chronic diseases and breast cancer. Regarding cesarean births, the Council reported that about 43% of births in Jordan in 2023 were through cesarean section. The Council called for the promotion of safe natural childbirth under medical supervision, as well as providing psychological support for mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. It also urged the improvement of postnatal care, monitoring the health and mental well-being of mothers, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding, which lasts for only a month in Jordan. Additionally, family planning services are crucial, as unmet needs for contraception reach 11%, and rise to 33% when including those using traditional methods. In terms of neonatal health, the Council underscored the importance of post-birth medical checks, vaccinations, and proper nutrition. It reported that only 24% of infants under six months old are exclusively breastfed, according to the 2023 Population and Family Health Survey. The Council praised Jordan's efforts over the past two decades to improve the healthcare sector through digital transformation, automating maternal mortality records, and launching an electronic system for reporting births and deaths, which has enhanced the efficiency and responsiveness of the health system. The Council also noted that the Ministry of Health's strategic plan for 2023-2025 focuses on improving primary and preventive healthcare, reducing the spread of infectious and non-communicable diseases, and strengthening reproductive and child health services. These efforts have resulted in a rise in life expectancy to 75.3 years in 2023, a decrease in the under-five mortality rate to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births, a reduction in maternal mortality to 24 deaths per 100,000 live births, and a decrease in child marriage rates to 11%, down from 17% in 2017. Despite these improvements, the Council pointed out challenges in reproductive health services, including limited integration between reproductive health programs and primary care, varying service levels across regions, access difficulties for some women, low awareness of available services, and limited female participation in health decisions affecting them. The Council emphasized the need to adopt the "Family Health" model in primary healthcare and to implement the National Reproductive Health Strategy 2020-2030 through programs and projects that enhance the health and well-being of all family members. (Petra)
