Protecting pregnant women: HIV screening, counseling held in Sariaya

By Nimfa Estrellado A pregnant woman during the HIV screening, counseling held here on September 6, 2023, at the 2nd floor building of the S...

By Nimfa Estrellado

A pregnant woman during the HIV screening, counseling held here on September 6, 2023, at the 2nd floor building of the Sariaya Rural Health Unit (RHU). (Photo from Sariaya PIO)

SARIAYA, Quezon - In an effort to ensure the well-being of pregnant women and their unborn children, a recent initiative has been launched to provide HIV screening and counseling services here.

Myra Beltran, Nurse II HIV, led the screening and counseling of 81 pregnant women from different barangays of Sariaya on September 6, 2023, at the 2nd floor building of the Sariaya Rural Health Unit (RHU).



According to Beltran, the goal of the initiative is to identify pregnant women who may be at risk for HIV and provide them with the necessary support and resources.

The screening process involves a simple blood test, followed by counseling sessions to educate women about HIV prevention and treatment options.



The initiative also aims to reduce stigma surrounding HIV by promoting a supportive and non-judgmental environment for pregnant women seeking these services.

Dr. Nancy Catarroja, Municipal Health Officer, emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

She believes that by implementing this initiative, they can significantly improve the health outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

There are birthing homes in Sariaya, such as Poblacion 4, Tumbaga 1, Sampaloc 2 and Bignay 1 that provide comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care to pregnant women.

These birthing homes provide a variety of services, such as regular check-ups, vaccinations, and nutrition and breastfeeding counseling, to ensure pregnant women in Sariaya receive the necessary support and medical attention for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth experience.

Even though there is a midwife in the birthing home, Dr. Catarroja cautioned expectant mothers that it is best to give birth in hospitals because the capacity for births is still constrained there. She stressed that the safety of expectant mothers and their unborn children must nevertheless be taken into account.

In order to help women in Sariaya make informed decisions about their reproductive health and have control over the number and spacing of their pregnancies, Dr. Catarroja also recognized the value of family planning and educating women about contraceptive methods to prevent unintended pregnancies, including counseling and contraception.

This not only promotes the well-being of mothers and children but also contributes to overall community development and the empowerment of women.