ILOILO — Being a midwife is more than just push, breath and push.

Teresita Alviola of Tubungan, Iloilo, one of our friendly and dedicated midwife who has been committed herself as focal of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the municipality of Tubungan for eight long years.

Through her active public service, she takes initiative in conducting advocacies to minimize if not stop the highest number of maternal and infant deaths in their town. A total of five infant deaths and 1 maternal death were recorded in their town prior to the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya.

To address the prevailing issues, Teresita together with her health team conducted a house- to- house visitation to locate pregnant mothers and door-to-door immunization for children in 48 barangays especially those located in mountainous areas.

Her struggle in the conduct of house-to-house visits and door-to-door immunization was then addressed by the Family Development Session (FDS) where she is always one of the resource persons and regular check-ups of 4Ps household members at the health facility as one of the conditionalities set by the program.

For every activity she has, Teresita keeps reminding pregnant women to submit themselves into regular check-ups where they could avail free health services such as prenatal, post-partum care, and family planning. Also, she is encouraging mothers to give birth to Health Facility Based Deliveries so that they would be given proper guidance and medical assistance.

Her effort turned effective since 2012 when no more infant deaths had been recorded to their town.

She also strengthen its bloodletting activity campaign so they could have standby blood in case of emergency which was very effective since almost 4Ps households do their own share. Teresita said that they have almost 1, 000 bags of blood standby at the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

In 2004, the town has been also ranked as Top 3 with most malnourished children in the entire province of Iloilo. Teresita, however said that after the implementation of the program in their town in 2011, their record of malnourished children has gradually decreased.

“This is because of the highest compliance rate of 4Ps members who are complying the condition on health, the feeding program of the DSWD and the requirement of backyard gardening or communal gardens to every household beneficiary”, she said.

AS ADVOCATE

Teresita’s dedication to the program, however was not that easy.
Teresita admitted that at first, she was hesitant to accept the position considering that she is one of the persons who negatively criticize the program in terms of its effectiveness in addressing poverty at their town.
She taught also that being the Pantawid focal would require an additional load to her present multi-tasking job.

Left with no choice, her day to day engagements with 900 Pantawid households in their town especially looking after their health needs, opened her heart and soul to a reality and how the program met its objectives. She woke up also to a realization that indeed, the program makes her job easier than before.

Every cry she heard from the newly delivered baby, the smile she has seen through the mother’s face after long hours of labor and the fulfillment she feels seeing the happiness on the face of a first time father, can wipe away all her fatigue.

“Thank you,” these might be the common words she heard everyday from her clients but these made her heart healthier as she witnessed that the program has gradually change the behavior of the people towards the importance of health and nutrition.

“The 4Ps beneficiaries are now more accountable of their actions and behaviors. For me, the FDS played a big role for this change and empowerment since health concerns is one of their major topics plus the conditionalities that they have to comply with”, she said.

On her eight years of being the frontline person to cater the health needs of Pantawid beneficiaries, she regretted nothing but only aims to serve efficiently and effectively through rendering various health services 24/7.

“I could now confidently speak on behalf of the program. I witnessed how it changes the lives of many poor households. In my entire existence, I am happy that I am part of this change,” she added.

Her commitment as public servant gained numerous awards which served as her living legacies to Tubunganons.

Among the awards received by their municipality through Teresita’s efforts are the following: the town excelled in bloodletting activities for most numbered of successful donors and surpass the target of 1 percent, rank number 1 in regional health office VI -Sentrong SIGLA facility, accredited service provider of the PHILHEALTH Insurance Corporation such as Primary Care Benefits, TB-DOTS and Maternal Care Packages, and an Exemplary Achievers Award for newborn.

Teresita also received bronze medal award from the PNRC as volunteer worker, and received Certificate of Commendation from the municipality as regular successful donor.

Through her 31 years in the government service, Teresita continues to serve the best that she can especially in saving lives. A woman stands for the better health of her constituents. A woman who has full passion and love to mothers and children. And most of all, a woman who puts God first in every action she undertakes. //MGC