For expectant mothers, a maternity kit is a must.
The Department of Health (DOH)—Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) has started to deliver maternity kits or “mama kits” to various provincial health offices in the region. A total of 2,500 kits will be given with each province having an allotment of 500 kits.
“The kit contains the necessary supplies to help provide a clean and safe delivery whether in a hospital or clinic. This is to protect the mother and the baby from neonatal infections that may occur,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.
Janairo said that clean delivery—including clean hands, clean delivery surface, clean cord cutting and tying, proper cord care, and bathing—is a key intervention for reducing infections in newborns.
The mama kit contains cotton cloth (baby wrapper), nail cutter, bar soap, face towel, toothpaste and toothbrush, cotton balls, isopropyl alcohol, maternity pads, bathroom tissue, disposable umbilical cord clamp, sterile surgical gloves, sterile surgical blade for cord cutting, disposable underpants and pail with cover.
“They are still newborns and mothers who die from infections soon after birth. That is why skilled attendant and adequate hygiene in our birthing facilities are necessary to address this.”
The maternity kits will be given to pregnant and expecting mothers in the communities through the barangay health units.