Figure 7: Trend of Maternal Health Care Service Indicators, 2015-2019 Source: DOH FHSIS 2015-2019 (Partial data for 2019). Figure 8: Maternal Mortality Ratio, 1993-2018 slowly improving over the years. National health surveys report higher figures of MMR at around 200 per 100,000 live births (LB) in 1993, 2011, and 2015. Improvements in MMR were noted in the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 1998 and Family Planning Survey 2006 at 160 to 170 per 100,000 live births, but still inconclusive given the high margin of error of estimation15. For purposes of reporting, the DOH is currently using the Philippines Statistics Authority 2018 MMR estimate at 108 per 100,000 live births. The target MMR for 2020 is 90 per 100,000 live births. Accurate measurement of maternal mortality remains an enormous challenge for DOH in terms of timeliness, completeness in reporting (inclusiveness of the private sector), and data quality. Nonetheless, the leading causes of maternal mortality are still preventable and can Source: Philippine Statistics Authority MMR Estimates 1980-2018, released last June 2020 be averted by quality and accessible obstetric care However, there is still a need to strengthen from Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care demand generation activities for these services. (EmONC) capable-facilities. Antenatal and postpartum care are among the most important interventions to prevent maternal Infant, Child Health and Nutrition and neonatal mortalities. These interventions offer an opportunity to introduce to mothers Infant and child health outcomes have been and couples the use of family planning methods improving for the past two decades. The NDHS16 to prevent immediate repeat pregnancies and reported a declining trend of newborn, infant, encourage healthy behaviors such as breastfeeding and under-5 mortality rates from 1998 to 2017. and immunization. Due to improvements in maternal health care service indicators, MMR14 reduction has been 14 Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is computed as number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Maternal death is defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes (WHO, 2016) 15 RPRH Annual Report, 2016 16 For this reporting year, NDHS 2017 remains as the reference for reporting neonatal and child health outcomes as these indicators are highly dependent on survey than administrative data. 40 2019 Annual Report Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 40 2019 Annual Report Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012