Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2010-0014)
The main purpose is to strengthen the capacity of midwives to respond adequately and appropriately to pregnancy-related complications by allowing them to administer life-saving drugs and medicines to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.
It applies to all registered and licensed midwives providing skilled midwifery services, DOH and its attached agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other development partners implementing maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) strategies.
Midwives are authorized to administer magnesium sulphate, oxytocin, steroids, and oral antibiotics, provided they are appropriately trained and certified.
Life-saving drugs are to be administered under emergency conditions when no physician is available, and midwives must be trained and certified proficient.
Midwives must undergo a two-part in-service training with formal/didactic lessons and practicum, pass a post-training written exam and practicum, and obtain a certificate of proficiency within six months.
Midwives are supervised by municipal, district, city, or provincial health officers or senior midwife supervisors with technical guidance from Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) for maternal care and the Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine (PSNbM) and/or Philippine Pediatrics Society (PPS) for newborn care.
Midwives shall be provided with legal assistance if necessary related to their performance as Essential and Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (E/EmONC) providers, especially when administering life-saving drugs.
A midwife is a person who has completed a recognized education program in midwifery, obtained the required qualifications, and is registered and licensed to practice midwifery in the Philippines.
The order encourages facility-based deliveries attended by skilled health personnel and recognizes that many deliveries still occur without skilled birth attendants, urging improved access and care.
LGUs must ensure midwives have updated licenses, provide financial support for training, ensure availability of supplies and adequate facilities, activate local health boards, facilitate PhilHealth accreditation for birthing facilities, and establish functional referral systems for continuum of care.
Emergency conditions refer to maternal or newborn situations that pose immediate risks of complications or death if not timely prevented or managed, such as pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, post-partum hemorrhage, premature labor, and infections.
POGS conducts training, issues proficiency certifications to midwives, assists with monitoring and coaching, participates in maternal death reviews, and collaborates with newborn care societies for perinatal death reviews.
Through quality assurance and clinical audits conducted monthly by DOH and LGU health units with progress reports, plus annual implementation reviews with stakeholders.
The order took effect immediately 15 days after its publication in major newspapers.