Maternal Deaths

Proponents and supporters of the RH Bill argue that we need to pass this to law to help prevent the "high" number of maternal deaths in the country.

We already have an existing law to address this. Section 17a of Republic Act 9710, approved August 14, 2009, states that:

Section 17. Women's Right to Health. - (a) Comprehensive Health Services. - The State shall, at all times, provide for a comprehensive, culture-sensitive, and gender-responsive health services and programs covering all stages of a woman's life cycle and which addresses the major causes of women's mortality and morbidity: Provided, That in the provision for comprehensive health services, due respect shall be accorded to women's religious convictions, the rights of the spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions, and the demands of responsible parenthood, and the right of women to protection from hazardous drugs, devices, interventions, and substances. Access to the following services shall be ensured:  ( 7) Prevention of abortion and management of pregnancy-related complications;

I do not blame the simple folks for not knowing this law, but the pro RH doctors and lawyers and congressmen, among others, are misleading the people.

If this government is serious and hell bent in preventing maternal deaths, then it only has to implement and enforce #7 Section 17a of R.A. 9710. Put some of the 14B budget in health services, particularly in maternal health services (#7 Section 17a of R.A. 9710).

It is obvious, we don't need the R.H. Bill for it.