children according to their own family life aspirations, taking into account psychological
preparedness, health status, sociocultural and economic concerns consistent with their
religious convictions.
(w) Sexual health refers to a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to
sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships,
as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free from
coercion, discrimination and violence.
(x) Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) refers to any infection that may be acquired or
passed on through sexual contact, use of IV, intravenous drug needles, childbirth and
breastfeeding.
(y) Skilled birth attendance refers to childbirth managed by a skilled health professional
including the enabling conditions of necessary equipment and support of a functioning health
system, including transport and referral faculties for emergency obstetric care.
(z) Skilled health professional refers to a midwife, doctor or nurse, who has been educated
and trained in the skills needed to manage normal and complicated pregnancies, childbirth
and the immediate postnatal period, and in the identification, management and referral of
complications in women and newborns.
(aa) Sustainable human development refers to bringing people, particularly the poor and
vulnerable, to the center of development process, the central purpose of which is the
creation of an enabling environment in which all can enjoy long, healthy and productive lives,
done in the manner that promotes their rights and protects the life opportunities of future
generations and the natural ecosystem on which all life depends.
Section 5. Hiring of Skilled Health Professionals for Maternal Health Care and Skilled Birth
Attendance. – The LGUs shall endeavor to hire an adequate number of nurses, midwives and other
skilled health professionals for maternal health care and skilled birth attendance to achieve an ideal
skilled health professional-to-patient ratio taking into consideration DOH targets: Provided, That
people in geographically isolated or highly populated and depressed areas shall be provided the
same level of access to health care: Provided, further, That the national government shall provide
additional and necessary funding and other necessary assistance for the effective implementation of
this provision.
For the purposes of this Act, midwives and nurses shall be allowed to administer lifesaving drugs
such as, but not limited to, oxytocin and magnesium sulfate, in accordance with the guidelines set by
the DOH, under emergency conditions and when there are no physicians available: Provided, That
they are properly trained and certified to administer these lifesaving drugs.
Section 6. Health Care Facilities. – Each LGU, upon its determination of the necessity based on
well-supported data provided by its local health office shall endeavor to establish or upgrade
hospitals and facilities with adequate and qualified personnel, equipment and supplies to be able to
provide emergency obstetric and newborn care: Provided, That people in geographically isolated or
highly populated and depressed areas shall have the same level of access and shall not be
neglected by providing other means such as home visits or mobile health care clinics as needed:
Provided, further, That the national government shall provide additional and necessary funding and
other necessary assistance for the effective implementation of this provision.