Law Summary

I. Background

• The Philippines is committed to the United Nations Millennium Declaration, focusing on improving health, specifically targeting reductions in maternal and child mortality.
• The current maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is high, necessitating enhanced basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) services.
• Previous administrative orders (AO 79, s. 2000 and AO 2008-0029) aimed to make pregnancy and delivery safer.

II. Objective

• Strengthens the capacity of nurses and midwives to respond to pregnancy-related complications effectively.
• Mandates training on BEmONC and authorizes the administration of life-saving drugs in emergencies.

III. Scope and Coverage

• Applies to heads of health facilities providing birthing services and registered nurses and midwives in public and private sectors.

IV. General Principles

• Policies should ensure:
  • Planned pregnancies and high-quality care.
  • Gender and cultural sensitivity in service provision.
  • Upgrading birthing centers and training health professionals in emergency care.
  • Universally accessible reproductive health services.
• Women are encouraged to give birth in health facilities.

V. Definition of Terms

• Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC): Lifesaving services provided by health professionals for emergency maternal and newborn conditions.
• Skilled Health Professional: A trained doctor, nurse, or midwife capable of managing normal and complicated cases.
• Midwife: A trained professional who supervises care during pregnancy, labor, and postnatal periods.
• Nurse: A registered professional trained in various health care aspects, including maternal and newborn care.
• Life Saving Drugs: Medications crucial for preventing and managing pregnancy-related complications.
• Emergency: A condition posing immediate danger to a patient where delay may result in severe consequences.

VI. Implementing Guidelines

• Nurses and midwives must:
  • Complete BEmONC training as certified by recognized training centers.
  • Administer life-saving drugs only when a physician and facility are unavailable, following a physician's order (written or verbal).
  • Use clinical protocols in isolated areas when obtaining orders is impractical.
• Emergency drugs must be documented, and patients should be promptly referred to facilities offering comprehensive care.

VII. Roles and Responsibilities

A. Training Centers

• Conduct BEmONC training and evaluate trainees.
• Issue training certifications compliant with national standards.

B. Local Government Units

• Ensure compliance with DOH licensing and availability of life-saving drugs.
• Support staff training and establish operational networks for referrals.

C. Department of Health

• Oversee BEmONC training programs and ensure protocols are updated.
• Collaborate with regional offices for monitoring and evaluation.

VIII. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitoring of BEmONC teams will be conducted by provincial and city health offices alongside DOH regional offices.

IX. Repealing Clause

• Previous orders inconsistent with this Administrative Order are rescinded; all unaffected provisions remain valid.

X. Effectivity

• This Order is effective immediately upon issuance.

Key Takeaways

• The order mandates enhanced training for nurses and midwives in maternal and newborn care, allowing them to administer life-saving drugs in emergencies.
• It emphasizes the importance of referral systems and compliance with established health standards.
• The initiative aims to reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes in birthing centers throughout the Philippines.