The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has established a “Buntis at Bagong Panganak Friendly Center” inside the JFE Sports Complex to cater to the special needs of pregnant and lactating mothers.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Dinky Soliman said the makeshift center provides “a space for pregnant women and lactating mothers to relieve stress in consideration of their special needs. The women are also engaged in light activities  like sewing  baby blankets, cloth diaper and baby pillowcase inside the centers.”

Overseeing the center is Dr. Gracia Gacrama, DSWD’s resident doctor assigned at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Zamboanga City.

The center, which has been operating on its second week, also started providing lunch to pregnant and lactating mothers based on a menu prepared by DSWD nutritionist, Ms. Joy Gonzaga.  This is to ensure that the women are healthy during their pre-natal and post-delivery stage. Meals provided include “tinola” with malunggay and iron-fortified rice which are prepared in the community kitchen under the supervision of the DSWD staff.

Dr. Gacrama shared that the Buntis at Bagong Panganak Friendly Center also serves as day shelter for pregnant women, lactating mothers and their newborn baby. She said that they will soon put up a “duyan” or cradle in one corner of the make-shift center for the newborn babies.

Based on record, the center had provided health related services to more than 200 pregnant, lactating mothers and their newborn on its first week in partnership with the Department of Health.  Among the services provided were prenatal services, tetanus injection, and the provision of vitamins.

Recently, frozen pasteurized human  milk was provided inside the center for 70 lactating mothers who reportedly have limited breast milk.  The frozen human milk was provided by the DOH in partnership with the Junior Chamber International.  The milk was donated by the milk banks of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), the Fabella Hospital, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

Almayda Tiblani, 30, from Sta. Catalina was one of the recipient  of the frozen milk which is good for a day’s feeding.   She expressed gratitude for the milk supply saying her one-month old baby needs more milk than she can provide. ###