According to UNICEF, 60% of newborn deaths in the Philippines are caused by prematurity and low birth weight complications. These complications are also some of the top “newborn killers” worldwide.
About 1 million deaths per year have been recorded and even more babies grow up with lifelong disabilities, which can be physical, developmental, or neurological.
As a response to this growing global concern, the Department of Health and Philhealth, with the help of UNICEF, have created benefit packages for premature and low birth weight newborns.
The Z Health benefits packages, which were launched on November 25, 2016, are expected to provide medical and financial assistance to 300,000 newborns every year.
“Newborn deaths due to complications of prematurity and low birth weight can be prevented. These can be done with adequate quality prenatal care and sufficient intake of nutritious food during pregnancy, managing complications prior to giving birth with proper use of steroids or antibiotics, early initiation of breastfeeding even for premature and small babies, known as Unang Yakap and lastly, doing kangaroo mother care,” DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial explained to UNICEF.
The Z Health benefits packages are expected to provide medical and financial assistance to 300,000 newborns every year
Source: Imgur/PhotoFromMyDeck
Preterm and low birth weight babies needs extra special care and attention, but unfortunately not all of their families have access to proper medical facilities.
“These are just a few of the interventions that can be applied to ensure the survival and health of premature and small babies who face daunting challenges right after birth. The cost of saving preterm and small babies has been economically catastrophic to many families, both rich and poor. True to the tenets of the Philippine Health Agenda, it is very timely that we address financial protection of these families and universal healthcare for their newborns,” continues DOH Secretary Ubial.
photo: dreamstime
Learn more about premature births, low birth weight, and how to avail Philhealth’s Z benefits in the helpful video below.
READ: Philhealth Maternity Benefits: Your benefits and how you can avail them
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