Phl eyes Singapore model on women’s health

The Philippine government is studying a Singaporean model that invests in women’s health even before they begin conceiving or starting families, an approach officials say could improve maternal and child outcomes while strengthening long-term economic productivity.

The interest emerged after a bilateral meeting between Rex Gatchalian, secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore’s minister for Ministry of Social and Family Development.

The talks concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting cooperation on child development and women empowerment.

Gatchalian said Singapore’s welfare approach focuses on supporting women even before pregnancy, noting that studies show women’s overall health before conception greatly influences maternal and child health outcomes.

“Sa kanila, hindi mo aantayin upon conception. Tayo kasi ang concept natin ng first 1,000 days, upon conception (For them, you don’t have to wait for conception to provide intervention. Here in the Philippines, the concept is the first 1,000 days starts upon conception),” he said.

“In Singapore, kapag alam nila na childbearing age na or magpa-pamilya na ‘yong babae, kailangan subaybayan mo na (support is given once the woman is already at a childbearing age),” he added.

He explained that the support includes not only financial assistance but also free health screenings and holistic services such as courses that teach women proper child-rearing practices once they become pregnant.

“Medyo bago ‘yong paradigm na yun. So nagpapunta na tayo ng mga social workers and we’re going to start working on the details already, operationalizing it (That concept is still quite new. That’s why we’ve already sent social workers to Singapore so we can start working on the details already),” he said.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na nauunawaan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na ang pamumuhunan o pag-alaga, pag-aruga sa kanila mga kababaihan sa pamilya, even if hindi pa siya nagbubuntis ay pamumuhunan sa ating bansa (We will make sure that every Filipino family knows the importance of investing and caring for women even if they are yet to bear child),” he added.

The Philippines–Singapore agreement on social sector development was formalized on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural Community meetings held in Makati on Wednesday.

The memorandum covers the exchange of information and experiences in implementing programs on social protection, family welfare and child development. These include initiatives related to the “First 1,000 Days of a Child” program and child protection.

Other areas of cooperation involve programs for persons with disabilities.

Under the agreement, both countries will also promote institutional linkages and organize visits to facilities and centers that serve families, children and persons with disabilities.