ARAW NG BUNTIS – Obstetricians from the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) – Region I conduct free ultrasound for indicated cases during the 6th Araw ng Buntis in Dagupan City. Other services such as pre-natal checkup, urinalysis, dental checkup and tetanus diphtheria vaccination were provided to some 600 pregnant women in the city while breast examination and visual inspection with acetic acid were conducted for non-pregnant women for cervical cancer screening. The activity is a joint undertaking by the city government, POGS – Region I and Pangasinan Medical Society. (CIO photo by Arriz Fruelda)
DAGUPAN CITY – Some 600 pregnant women joined this year’s “Araw ng Buntis” at CSI Stadia on March 15 as part of the observance of National Women’s Month and the 16th National Araw ng Buntis.
The one-day activity was a joint undertaking between the city government through the City Health Office, the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) – Region I headed by its president Dr. Eva Guevarra, and the Pangasinan Medical Society (PMS).
With the theme “Malinis at Luntiang Kapaligiran ang Handog ng Ina sa Sinapupunan”, the one-day activity provided numerous health services for mothers such as free pre-natal check-up, ultrasound for indicated cases, urinalysis, dental check-up. and tetanusdiphtheria vaccine.
On its sixth consecutive year, the activity also continues its focus on Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness with the conduct of free breast examination and visual inspection with acetic acid for non-pregnant women for cervical cancer screening.
Obstetricians from the Federation of Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (FPOGS) also discussed several topics to the participants. These include Nutrition in Pregnancy by Dr. Lorelei De Leon, Teenage Pregnancy by Dr. Hilda Bernardo, Hypertension in Pregnancy by Dr. Lovelyn Manongdo and Breast and Cervical Cancer by Dr. Macrina De Guzman.
Through the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) office, pregnant mothers who are not yet enrolled with Philhealth were issued their Philhealth, MDRs and Philhealth Cards.
A Search for Ms. Buntis 2019 contest was also held in conjunction with the program.
Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, in her message, informed all pregnant mothers that the city will soon open its diagnostic center and lying-in clinic.
The center will not just offer diagnostic services but will also be open 24/7 for birthing mothers to help ensure the health and safety of both mother and child during delivery.
Meanwhile, Dr. Betha Fe Castillo, founding president of POGS – Region I, shared the importance of the environment and its factors when it comes to keeping mothers healthy.
“The environment has many sources that could keep them healthy. This is also important so that mothers can rear their child in a clean and healthy environment/” said Dr. Castillo.
She also disclosed that their association will be supporting the city by providing assistance in ultrasound readings at the city’s lying-in clinic.
In the same occasion, City Health Officer Dr. Ophelia Rivera encouraged the city’s pregnant mothers to avoid vices and undergo regular check-ups to monitor their pregnancies.
“Being pregnant is no ordinary circumstance. A pregnant mother is responsible for two lives – her own and her unborn child’s. That’s why this is a crucial time for mothers to take good care of themselves. They should have regular check-ups, eat healthy and regularly and avoid habits such as smoking and drinking which could endanger her and her child,” added Dr. Rivera. (Verdelle De Vera/CIO)