Aligning with Governor Edgar Chatto and Vice Governor Concepcion Lim’s thrusts for health through the provincial development agenda, more popularly known as HEAT-Bohol, the municipalities of Loon and Anda, respectively, launched buntis party health events last June 1 and 6, with the aim of eradicating the high incidence of maternal and child mortality due to pregnancy related causes. The Rural Health Unit 1 (RHU-1) of Loon, through the leadership of Municipal Health Officer Maria Victoria Lamparas, held its Panganay Buntis Party on June 1 at the Senior Citizen’s Building in Poblacion, Loon.

The activity was attended by 27 young women who listened intently to the lectures on pre-natal, natal, and post-natal care, discussed by Dr. Lamparas and some nurses and midwives. The discussions touched on proper nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene, immunization, birth spacing, and exclusive breastfeeding. Municipal Councilor Enrique Masamayor, Sangguniang Bayan committee chair on health, committed to work harder to bring about needed birthing facilities n the far-flung barangays of Loon. On the other hand, the Search for Healthy Buntis was held last June 6 at the Anda Public Beach in Poblacion, Anda and attended by 57 pregnant women.

The activity was graced by Anda Mayor Angelina Simacio, who gave the welcome message. The activity also featured lectures on pre-natal and post-natal care, breastfeeding and nutrition, and immunization given by the town’s public health nurse, Josie Marie Arabejo, and colleague nurses and midwives. Ten of the 57 participants were randomly selected through a drawing by lots and they were asked questions based on the lectures given by the resource speakers. The top three candidates who garnered the highest points became the winners of the Search for Healthy Buntis. In both activities, the participants prepared their birth and emergency plans and recited the pledge of commitment to care for their spouse and children, exclusive breastfeeding, proper birth spacing (3-5 years interval), and regular consultation and visit at the health center for information and updates. (John Alexis L. Lofranco/PHO)