Senator Christopher "Bong" Go voiced his serious concern on Saturday regarding the recent rise in maternal deaths in Northern Mindanao, following the Department of Health’s (DOH) warning that more women, particularly young or first-time mothers, are losing their lives due to preventable childbirth complications.

In a statement, Go urged immediate and ongoing efforts to improve prenatal and postnatal care services, particularly in rural and geographically isolated areas.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized that improving maternal health outcomes must remain a priority within policymaking and public service delivery.

"No one should lose their life during childbirth, especially when it can be prevented with the right information and proper services from the government. That’s why we are advocating for the implementation of programs focused on the health of mothers and infants," Go said in Filipino.

Go cited reports from DOH Region X highlighting a concerning increase in maternal mortality.

In 2023, the region recorded a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 5.5 per 100,000 live births — the highest in five years and a sharp rise from the previous year's rate of 4.1.

One of the victims was 27-year-old Almera Andagao from Pigsag-an, who tragically passed away two days after being admitted to a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City due to complications following childbirth.

DOH officials have linked the increase in maternal deaths to insufficient prenatal care and limited access to skilled healthcare providers. The DOH's Family Health Cluster underscored the significance of the "1-2-5" prenatal checkup schedule — one visit during the first trimester, two during the second, and five in the third — under its Safe Motherhood Initiative.

However, they pointed out that many women, especially in remote areas, fail to complete these crucial consultations.

"When the health center is far, pregnant women often skip their checkups," Go lamented.

"This is what we aim to address through the Super Health Centers that we are advocating for," he further pressed.

Super Health Centers (SHCs) are Go's initiative to bring essential primary care services, such as maternal checkups, consultations, and early detection, closer to local communities.

He touted that many of these centers will also include birthing facilities, ensuring better support for mothers in underserved and remote areas.

More than 700 SHCs have been funded for construction nationwide, thanks to collaborative efforts between the DOH, fellow lawmakers, and local governments.

Go also reaffirmed the importance of institutional support through Republic Act No. 11148, or the "Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act," which was enacted during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

This law focuses on addressing the health and nutrition needs of mothers and children during the first 1,000 days of life — a crucial period for long-term physical and cognitive development.

Go emphasized that financial barriers should never prevent low-income mothers from seeking the care they need. As the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, he established a one-stop-shop system that simplifies access to various government medical assistance programs.

To date, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, serving over 17 million Filipinos, according to data from the DOH.

In addition to maternal health, Go also expressed strong support for reproductive health awareness and disease prevention, particularly in relation to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Government data from Northern Mindanao shows that nearly 94 percent of eligible girls aged 9 to 12 have received the HPV vaccine through the DOH and Department of Education's "Bakuna Eskwela" program, which aims to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.