Rodriguez, J. K. M. (2012). Effect of a local birthing facility on the maternal mortality ration in Mapanas, Northern Samar (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 2 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

The health indicators and health status of Mapanas would be striking and unsettling for any outsider. In the initial study of the health situation, it was observed that basic health services that could have prevented serious morbidities or death were unavailable in the local health center. The area, being classified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA), has poor access to hospitals and other health facilities. Most of the population are indigent and in cases of emergency, the availability and cost of transportation to the hospital further limits their access to the much needed services. Since access was one of the major problems contributing to the health status, one of the first major health projects lobbied to the local chief executive was the construction of a local birthing facility. Among the vital health indices, Maternal Mortality Ratio was one of the most tragic. Based on records, most of the deaths were due to post-partum hemorrhage and the deliveries were in the homes. Creation of the birthing facility would be expected to improve the health outcomes of the mothers, and although this is not a new program of the Department of Health, it is just newly implemented in the municipality. The action plan and project aims to improve maternal health by reducing maternal deaths. How it will impact the health of mothers and how it will be integrated not only to the local health system but also to the everyday lifestyle and undertaking of the community remain to be observed.