In celebration of the National Pregnant Women’s Day last
March 10, VYLH-Philippines in partnership with Newborn Screening Center – NIH,
Visayas and Mindanao joined the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society
(POGS) in their “Araw ng Buntis” activity with the theme “Maabilidad na P-nay,
Malusog na Nanay”. This annual event is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation
569 which was signed in 2004.
VYLH-Philippines was able to participate in three key
locations nationwide – Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City; Robinsons Iloilo, Iloilo
City; and Ateneo de Davao University – Grade School Campus, Matina, Davao City.
Hundreds of pregnant women in these key locations were able to attend the said
event. POGS was kind enough to provide a booth for VYLH-Philippines where
volunteers were able to present and distribute information and promotional materials
on the importance of Folic acid supplementation in the prevention of birth
defects, and Newborn Screening. A signature campaign for the enactment of a
Rare Disease Act was also done during the event.
This year’s Araw ng Buntis activity was made special
since it is an attempt to set the Guinness Record for the Largest Prenatal
Class in Multiple Venues. The simultaneous one-hour prenatal class aimed to
instill the importance of proper nutrition and prenatal check-up. Aside from
the lectures, free laboratory examination and ultrasound, as well as freebies were
made available to the attendees of the event. The event culminated with the Ginang
Buntis pageant.
In the history of VYLH-Philippines, this is the first time that the organization has joined a national event which mainstreams one of its advocacies – prenatal health, in particular increasing the public’s awareness on the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. Indeed, the importance of folic acid was emphasized on the lectures presented, and this has been lobbied by the network since the awareness on this concern of Filipino women in the reproductive age is regarded to be low.
The network’s participation was made possible through coordination
with the POGS National President, Dr. Rey de los Reyes; POGS the National Secretariat;
and local POGS members and officers namely Dr. Amelita Jover (San Juan de Dios Hospital, NCR),
Dr. Kathlynn Ann dela Llana (WVSUMC, Iloilo), Dr. Maureen Fortuna (President,
POGS – Iloilo), Dr. Elmer Chua (Regional Director, POGS-Southern Mindanao) and
Dr. Michelle Ong (Event Organizer, POGS – Southern Mindanao).
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| VYLH-Philippines - NSC-NIH Booth |
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| VYLH-Philippines - NSC-Visayas Booth |
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| VYLH-Philippines - NSC-Mindanao Booth |
