Issue No. 69 - March - April 2012 - DOH

COVER storyPop Diva Kuh Ledesma (right) and daughter Isabella (right) sing the DOH safe motherhood jingle, "Sa Health Center, Suportado Ka. Punta Na!" (Photo byPaking Repelente)Melody for HealthThe Department of Health isintensifying its effort to reduce maternal andchild mortality as part of its commitment toachieve Millennium Development Goals 4and 5 and Kalusugan Pangkalahatan(Universal Health Care). Together withthe Local Government Units (LGUs) ofEastern Visayas and the Japan InternationalCooperation Agency (JICA), the DOH isstepping up the Strengthening Maternaland Child Health Services Project whichseeks to enhance the capacities of healthcenters in the Eastern Visayas in deliveringmaternal and child health (MCH) services.JICA, a governmental agencyof Japan, administers Japan’s OfficialDevelopment Assistance (ODA) programs inthe form of technical cooperation, grant aidand loan. There are about 100 JICA overseasoffices (including the Philippines). Today, it isadvancing its activities around the pillars of afield-oriented approach and human security,with emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency,and speed. JICA’s vision of "inclusivedevelopment" represents an approach todevelopment that encourages all peopleto recognize the development issues theythemselves face, participate in addressingthem, and enjoy the fruits of such endeavors.In particular, the JICA-supportedMCH Project aims to provide assistancethrough provision of essential medicalequipment, capacity building of healthservice providers, institutionalization ofthe Community Health Teams (CHTs), andstrengthening of partnerships among localstakeholders for increased support forimproved MCH services.Now on its second year, the Projecthas been received well. A gradual increase inuse of MCH services at these health facilitieshas been observed and this contributedlargely in making pregnancy and childbirthin Eastern Visayas safer. With the NationalSafe Motherhood Program now in fullMarch - April 2012 I HEALTHbeat 5