Community Health Fair Set in Three Municipalities of Region 8

Tacloban City, Philippines (April 22) –  The “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: Kalinga kay Inay Project” is going to have its 3^rd community health fair this April 23, 24 and 30, 2015 in three different areas of Region VIII. This health fair will be open to microfinance clients of CARD MRI and partner microfinance institutions as well as non-client members of the local community.

Fifteen OB-GYNs from the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Institution (POGS) of Eastern Visayas, one general physician, one pediatrician and fifteen nurse deployment agent will provide their services with no charge to the beneficiaries. Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) one of the partners of CARD MRI, is one in attaining the goals of this project by having the congruence of their program called “Buntis Congress”. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will also be joining on the said event. Pregnant women will also have an opportunity to get their ultrasound results immediately. The said event is going to provide urinalysis, medical consultations, ultrasound and mother’s kit for pregnant women, medicines and health awareness program free of charge and expecting to serve about 1,500 pregnant, lactating and of child-bearing age women.

World Health Organization (WHO) is doing the same program by providing evidence-based clinical and programmatic guidance, setting global standards, and providing technical support to member in States. Investing in better maternal health not only improves a mother’s health and that of her family, but also increases the number of women in the workforce and promotes the economic well-being of communities and countries. Untreated pregnancy and birth complications mean that 10-20 million women become disabled every year, undermining their ability to support their families.

The program is planning to have its next community health fair by the third quarter of the year in Mindanao.

Three organizations, CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), the Microcredit Summit Campaign, and Freedom from Hunger came together to help the country achieve its MDG goal on maternal health.  The Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: Kalinga kay Inay Project will reach more than 600,000 women microfinance clients by the end of 2015 by leveraging the reach of the microfinance sector to deliver vital health education and services to very poor women and their families.