Biliran province launches US$1.5-M JICA-sponsored maternal and child health care project

By FLOR JACKSON, (PIA Biliran)
August 19, 2006

NAVAL, Biliran  – Biliran province is set to implement a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-sponsored project on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care after it was officially launched last week at Marvin’s Place in Naval, Biliran.

The occasion was witnessed by Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina together with the eight municipal mayors and Municipal Health Officers (MHOs) of the province, the Japanese officials on health led by Dr. Norito Araki, Health Attaché of Japan, Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, NCDP Coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH) based in Manila, DOH Regional Director Benita Pastor and other health officials of the province.

The launching ceremony was likewise attended by 30 visiting medical students from various schools in Japan and Mr. Eric Macanas, Assistant Project Manager of JICA-MCH project in Biliran.

The US$1.5-million project which will run for four years after its launching yesterday is expected to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the province from 24 per 10,000 population to five per l0,000 by the year 2010 and likewise reducing the infant mortality rate in the same year as declared by Dr. Alfonso Veneracion, provincial health officer of Biliran in his presentation of the MCH status of the province.

He added that the province of Biliran has the highest maternal mortality rate in the region with 287 per 1,000 population and ranks second regionwide in infant mortality rate with 167 per 1,000 populations.

Dr. Izumi Murakami, Chief Adviser of the JICA-Maternal and Child Health who officially launched the project, said that part of the package to be given by JICA to the province of Biliran is the provision of facilities needed by the provincial hospital and the rural health units relative to the implementation of the project.

She added that health workers involved in maternal and child health will be given trainings to upgrade their capabilities, knowledge and skills in reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Furthermore, she said that part of their effort to achieve the goals of the project, JICA will sponsor the training of the ten MCH personnel and ten midwives from Biliran and the Ifugao provinces who are beneficiaries of the project from JICA in Japan.

Dr. Murakami further announced to the health and local government officials of the province that JICA will give medical equipment to the province of Biliran this year for the effective implementation of the project and this includes a sea ambulance to transport patients from the island town of Maripipi to Naval, the capital town of the province where the provincial hospital is located.

Dr. Norito Araki, Health Attaché of Japan who also delivered a message to inspire the health workers present during the project launching bared that the package of benefits to be given by JICA for the four-year project is only an initial assistance of the Japanese government to the province of Biliran.

He added that launching of the project in Biliran is timely as Japan and the Philippines are celebrating their 50th anniversary of friendship.

"I am confident that the project on maternal and child health care in Biliran will be successful, Dr. Araki said.

"Although the JICA-sponsored MCH project is a four-year project, it will not end by 2010 but it will continue to provide MCH to the Biliranons", Director Benita Pastor of DOH in Eastern Visayas said. Dr. Pastor declared that relative to the project implementation, DOH will train the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and be part of the women’s health care group that will be organized to ensure the safe delivery of mothers in the province.

She added that Biliran is the only province in Eastern Visayas with an MCH project.

"What makes Biliran attractive to project donors is the strong political will and cooperation of the local government officials, she said.

On the other hand, Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina hopes for a meaningful cooperation between JICA, DOH and the provincial government as he looks forward to the successful implementation of the project.