SciDev.Net: Philippines struggles to lower maternal mortality
Manuel Dayrit, dean of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health

“The fight to lower maternal mortality in the Philippines turned a new leaf three years ago on 20 April 2012 with the launch of the 162 to 52 Health Summit. The figures refer to the Philippines’ maternal mortality ratio of 162 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for maternal health of reducing these to 52 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015. A coalition was created … to pursue this MDG-5 target on maternal health. … The coming years will tell if the mix of universal health care with sin taxes and local governance of birthing facilities will result in the progressive decline of maternal mortality. For now, however, it is unlikely that the Philippines will achieve its MDG-5 target of 52…” (2/27).