[In the news] Solons urged anew to pass RH bill amid increase in maternal deaths -InterAksyon.com

Solons urged anew to pass RH bill amid increase in maternal deaths InterAksyon.com MANILA, Philippines – Lawmakers were urged anew to pass the long-pending Reproductive Health (RH) bill following a report on the rise in maternal mortality in Metro Manila. “The RH bill being ignored for years has only resulted in increasing deaths among pregnant…

Human Rights Online Philippines

February 20, 2012

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Solons urged anew to pass RH bill amid increase in maternal deaths
InterAksyon.com

MANILA, Philippines – Lawmakers were urged anew to pass the long-pending Reproductive Health (RH) bill following a report on the rise in maternal mortality in Metro Manila.

“The RH bill being ignored for years has only resulted in increasing deaths among pregnant women… It’s time for Congress to help save women’s lives by finishing the RH debate and pass the bill now,” Ramon San Pascual, executive director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, said on Sunday.

The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 50 maternal deaths in eight of 16 Metro Manila cities last January.

San Pascual said the deaths could further increase if data from rural areas, which lack awareness and education on reproductive health, would be included.

“What are being reported now are only the cases in Metro Manila. What more in provinces or smaller local government units (LGUs)?” he said.

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