Davao del Norte Sees Downtrend in Maternal Deaths

A PROVINCIAL health officer from Davao del Norte revealed that the number of maternal deaths in the province decreased from 12 in 2020 to six in 2024.

Dr. Josephine Parreñas, provincial health officer of Davao del Norte, stated that the province has made progress in reducing maternal deaths. According to their data, the number of maternal deaths gradually decreases each year: from 12 maternal deaths in 2020, it went down to 10 in 2021, and further decreased to seven in 2022, to just six in both years 2023 and 2024.

“This downward trend reflects the effective implementation of maternal health interventions in the province following the national strategy for mortality ratio reduction,” she said during the Health Connect: Pag Healthy is Mommy, Protektado si Baby, on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Parreñas expressed that they are focusing on key indicators, such as: the increase in Antenatal Care (ANC) coverage from 79.8 percent in 2023 to 81.8 percent in 2024, the increase in Facility-Based Deliveries (FBD) from 93.4 percent in 2023 to 96.7 percent in 2024, the rise in postnatal care coverage from 94.24 percent in 2023 to 96.5 percent in 2024, the increase in births attended by Skilled Health Professionals (SHP) from 95.5 percent in 2023 to 96.8 percent in 2024, and the reduction in unmet need for Family Planning (FP).

Their efforts to reduce maternal deaths align with the national goal of decreasing maternal mortality from 90 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 70 by 2030.

Meanwhile, the infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births in the province was 8.68 in 2020, 13.5 in 2021, 12.37 in 2022, 8.7 in 2023, and 10.83 in 2024. 

She noted that the peak in 2021 was due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and although the rate has since decreased, the province continues to experience fluctuations. However, she expressed confidence as the figures remain below the national target of 15.

Parreñas attributed the decrease in maternal deaths and infant mortality to their health referral system, the quarterly maternal death reviews conducted with OB-GYN consultants from Davao Regional Medical Center and Southern Philippines Medical Center, and other key interventions.

These include bi-annual consultative meetings with private and public birthing facilities, barangay-based maternal health forums, social media campaigns, the provision of welfare goods to encourage ANC visits, and their Provincial Buntis Congress.

Other initiatives include focused ANC training for health workers, provision of essential medicines and logistics, coaching and mentoring in both private and public birthing facilities, and a scheduling scheme for healthcare workers to conduct ANC visits.

The province has a projected population of 1,166,096 and a total of 15,487 live births. RGP