Press Release
May 8, 2014

Concerned by report of health risks due to lack of proper health services
Nancy to DOH, DSWD: Ensure women and children in areas hit by typhoon Yolanda receive medical attention

Senator Nancy Binay is urging the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to look into the condition of women and children in areas hit by typhoon Yolanda following a report which said that the lack of proper health services and facilities were putting their health at risk.

"It is taking too long for help to reach our people. Ensuring that there is no threat to their health, especially those of women and children, should be the government's top priority," she said.

International health agency Save the Children has earlier complained about the government's sluggish pace in dealing with the issue--detailing at a press conference how six months later, the government has only managed to restore services in 50% of health facilities in areas in the Visayas which were devastated by the typhoon.

The agency estimated that 45,000 babies have been born without full medical care since typhoon Yolanda struck the country.

The senator is deeply bothered by stories of women forced to deliver babies along the road and the death of a woman who should have given birth via caesarean section but failed to reach a health facility in time.

"I hope that the DSWD and the DOH will heed our call and bring their full attention to areas hit by Yolanda. What our people need is for the government to show that it is focused on saving their lives--we can do this by restoring health facilities, replacing or fixing damaged equipment and ensuring that they get the healthcare services they need," said Binay.

"Unahin po natin ang pagbibigay ng sapat na serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayan dahil ang pinakaimportanteng aspeto po sa survival nila ang kalusugan, lalung-lalo na po ng mga nagbubuntis at kabataan. Kalusugan po ang mag-aahon sa kanila mula sa trahedyang ito kaya sana po magawang operational ang lahat ng mga ospital at klinika sa kanilang lugar sa mas medaling panahon," she added.

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