During the recent “Hugpong sang mga Tumandok” event in Hinoba-an, which provided free medical consultations and dental services last month, officials also visited Barangay Damutan, located 30 kilometers from city proper, where local indigenous women were urged to plan for their pregnancy considering the far distance from the nearest medical facility.

Hinoba-an municipal health officer, Dr. Roena Abilla, recommended local women “prepare and plan for their pregnancy and dates of delivery.”

She suggested coming into town as it gets closer to the scheduled delivery date.

Abilla also stressed pregnancies should be handled by medical professionals instead of “komadrona,” or midwife./WDJ