The Official Publication of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health - Philippines

VYLH, NSCs celebrate Araw ng Buntis 2012

Written by Ryan John Pascual, Marian Cuenca, RN , Anna Leah Millares, RN, and Jasper Jover, RN
 

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).
VYLH-Philippines - NSC-NIH Booth





VYLH-Philippines - NSC-Visayas Booth



 
 
VYLH-Philippines - NSC-Mindanao Booth


Share:

Facebook

Twitter

Recent Posts

Recent Posts Widget