Philippines: Mobile Midwives

Mobile Midwives

Education and Licensure

• Thirty former victims of sexual exploitation selected for the program through applications, essays, and interviews
• Attendance of a 2-year Midwifery program accredited by the Philippine Technical Educational Skills and Development Agency
• Government licensure exam allowing legal practice after passing
• Registration by the Professional Regulation Committee and the Board of Midwifery
• Attendance of seminars given by the University of Santo Tomas Psycho Trauma Clinic

Jeepney Clinics

5 in Metro Manila and 5 in Cebu City

Midwives are assigned to mobile Jeepney clinics specializing in providing women’s health services. The clinics are equipped with health screening supplies and midwifery kits to provide:

• A sanitary, safe, private, and certified clinic for women to deliver babies
• Screening for cervical cancer
• Pregnancy tests
• Free contraception
• Family planning advice
• Breasts exams
• Identification and support of sexually exploited women and children

Overwhelming Birthrate

Relief for the Hospitals

• Metro Manila is home to the world’s busiest maternity ward- 60 to 100 births a day
• Beds are commonly shared by multiple women
• In poorer communities, conditions for home births may be unsafe or unhealthy without the appropriate support from a midwife
  The clinics can accommodate births helping alleviate the over crowded maternity wards and their mobility will enable them to meet patients where they are.