This Women’s month, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center is empowering women through initiating free pre-natal check-ups and ultrasound.
Speaking at an exclusive interview for Operation Tulong on Friday, March 21, Dr. Valerie Guinto, the Chair for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Asian Hospital and Associate Professor at the UP College of Medicine, discussed the importance of prenatal care for pregnant women.
She emphasized the importance of knowing about tertiary hospitals nearby, as they usually have the needed facilities to care for pre-term babies.
“Ito po yung neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Sa NICU, meron pong mga available na mga incubator sa loob. At tsaka mayroon din pong nagpapratice na mga pediatrician na nangangalaga lalo na sa mga extremely pre-mature babies,” she said.
Despite its importance, it was pointed out that numerous pregnant women are turned down by some hospitals due to the lack of facilities and access to an OB-GYN.
“Hindi po lahat ng ospital may capacity to do this. Meron pong ginagawa ngayon yung DOH na referral network. Kasama po ito sa Universal Healthcare (UHC) po ng DOH,” Guinto explained.
“Kapag ito po ay fully in operation na po, sana ho hindi na mangyayari yang hindi nila alam kung saan sila pupunta. Kasi yung sa referral network, makikita po doon kung sino yung mga ospital na may capacity to take care of these extremely pre-term newborn babies,” she added.
Guinto also advised women who are at high risk of pregnancy to be wary of the risk of having premature babies.
“I-advise ko din po. Yung mga may ipagbubuntis po na high risk. Yung may mataas na risk na magkaroon po sila ng pre-mature na panganganak katulad po ng nanganak na ng pre-mature na before,” she said.
“Pwede ho maulit. ‘Yan ang pinakamalaking risk factor na masasabi para magkaroon ulit ng pre-term delivery, [yung mga] nanganak na ng pre-term before,” she added.
Guinto suggests that if someone had given birth to a preterm baby in the past, they must go to a specialist for check-ups the next time they get pregnant. She explained that there are several risk factors at hand. Thus, citing the importance of having access to such treatments.
Although some hospitals are still lacking in facilities for pregnant and newborn babies, Guinto mentioned that the Asian Hospital is initiating a “Buntis Day Medical Mission” on Saturday, March 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Civic Drive Hall in Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Through the initiative, women will be given access to free prenatal check-ups and ultrasounds, expert talks on nutrition in pregnancy, prenatal care, and immunizations. Patients will also learn from esteemed OB-GYN specialists.
Interested participants may pre-register through the Asian Hospital’s social media post, but walk-ins are also welcome.
