15 October 2024, Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Proclamation No. 700, officially declaring October 15 of every year as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, in an effort to raise awareness and offer comprehensive support to families affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
The proclamation recognizes the emotional, psychological, and physical toll on families who experience pregnancy or infant loss and highlights the importance of raising health awareness to prevent such tragedies or reduce the risks. National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day aims to increase public understanding, provide support for grieving families, and foster national dialogue on improving maternal care and health services.
According to 2022 data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the heartbreaking loss of 54,128 infants in the Philippines within their first year stresses the urgent need for enhanced support and awareness, with 35,559 of those deaths occurring in the first 28 days (neonatal death). UNICEF 2021 data reports that while also supporting grieving families in navigating these profound challenges. the country experienced 25,531 stillbirths. In addition, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reports that in 2022, 12% of pregnancies among women aged 15-49 ended in pregnancy loss over a three-year period. These figures highlight the critical need for enhanced public awareness and more robust support for families facing these devastating losses.
The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with theAsianparent, Southeast Asia’s largest parenting content and community platform, is spearheading efforts to provide health education and resources to prevent pregnancy and infant loss, The DOH will oversee the nationwide observance, working with government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to ensure holistic support for both expectant and grieving families.
In discussing the profound implications of the proclamation, DOH Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa emphasized the following: “The loss of a child during pregnancy or infancy is a profound experience that affects families on multiple levels. With this proclamation, we reaffirm our commitment to provide not only healthcare and mental health support but also the necessary tools and guidance to help prevent pregnancy and infant loss. This observance is a vital step toward fostering greater public awareness and ensuring that grieving families have access to the resources they need to begin healing.”
Carla Perlas, theAsianparent VP of Communications and Head of Project Sidekicks, highlights the long-standing commitment of their platform in supporting affected families, sharing, “At theAsianparent, we have always believed in the importance of raising awareness, and offering support for families who have endured the heartache of baby loss. Since launching our Project Sidekicks CSR initiative in 2020 to raise awareness of stillbirth and its risks, we’ve worked to provide essential tools and information to promote healthy pregnancies, alongside a compassionate community, where parents can find solace and healing after such a devastating loss.”
The observance of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day will offer a platform for families to honor and remember their lost babies. It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of healthcare guidance and mental health support in preventing and managing pregnancy complications and infant loss. The DOH and theAsianparent will lead various programs and activities to provide grieving families with the information and community support they need to cope.
Proclamation No. 700 will help to create a compassionate community where Filipino families feel less alone in their grief, fostering an environment of support and healing. This is a leap forward into building a brighter future for all, transforming grief into a shared strength that uplifts and empowers.
For more information on upcoming activities and resources for National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, please visit the official websites of the Department of Health or theAsianparent.