Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7392)
The official title is the "Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992."
The Board of Midwifery operates under the direct supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
The Board is composed of a chairman and four members appointed by the President of the Philippines from the recommendees of the PRC Commissioner.
The Chairman must be a registered obstetrician with at least ten years of practice as an obstetrician prior to appointment.
They must be registered midwives, preferably degree holders in health and social sciences, with at least ten years practice as midwives and five years in supervisory positions.
The Board enforces the Act's provisions, issues and revokes certificates, investigates violations, conducts board examinations, maintains professional standards, and adopts an official seal.
Applicants must undergo and pass a board examination covering specific subjects like infant care, obstetrics, midwifery procedures, ethics, and others as prescribed by the Board.
A candidate must obtain a general rating of 75% with no grade lower than 50% in any subject.
Offenders are guilty of misdemeanor and can be fined between 10,000 to 30,000 pesos, imprisoned for 2 to 7 years, or both at the court's discretion.
It includes rendering services related to care during pregnancy, labor, and puerperium, management of normal deliveries, health education, primary health care, and practices carried out under physician’s orders, excluding students under supervision and emergencies.