Two city district health centers with birthing facilities record first deliveries in 2022

Pinsao and Atok Trail health centers, two of the three district health centers granted licenses to operate as birthing clinics, recorded their first deliveries last year.

City Health Services Office Maternal Neonatal Child Nutrition Coordinator Medical Officer IV Dr. Maria Alice Torres said the Pinsao health facility under Dr. Elvira Belingon posted its first successful delivery of a bouncing baby girl last Nov. 28, 2022, only two weeks after securing its license on Nov. 14, 2022.

This was followed on Dec. 2, 2022 by the birth of another baby girl.  Both were normal spontaneous deliveries.

A third admission was referred to a higher level facility due to prolonged rupture of membranes.

For Atok Trail under Dr. Kea Basbasan who took over from recently retired Dr. Catherine Posadas, one birth was recorded.

The patients enjoyed a complete package from pre-natal check-up to postpartum care including first immunizations at birth (BCG and Hepatitis B) and newborn screening as coordinated with other clinics with kits.

Torres said Atok Trail and Irisan under Dr. Vanessa Fagcangan were the first health centers granted birthing licenses in 2019 but because of the pandemic, the service was not implemented.

She said five more district health centers are in line for birthing licensure.  This is part of the thrust to expand the services of the district health centers as primary health care providers. – Aileen P. Refuerzo