A mother’s health and safety matter every step of the way — from pregnancy to childbirth and beyond. For many Filipino women, midwives are more than just health professionals; they are trusted partners who guide, care for, and empower women through one of life’s most transformative journeys.
That’s why it’s heartening to see these everyday heroes being celebrated and supported at the Midwives Summit 2025, organized by the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP) in partnership with Organon Philippines. With the theme “Sustaining Women’s Health – Well-being in Every Community,” the summit gathered midwives, government agencies, and women’s health advocates to strengthen maternal care and expand Universal Health Care (UHC) across the country.
Midwives: The Frontliners of Community Care
Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa beautifully summed up the importance of midwives:
“Behind every safe birth and every healthy mother is a competent, compassionate, and courageous midwife. When we take care of women, they take care of everyone else—their children, their families, and the next generation of Filipinos.”
It’s a powerful reminder that when we uplift midwives, we uplift mothers — and when we uplift mothers, we uplift society.
During the summit, the Department of Health (DOH) shared programs aimed at reducing maternal deaths and preventing teenage pregnancies, such as adolescent-friendly health services and the HPV vaccination program for Grade 4 girls. These initiatives protect women and girls at every stage of life — from adolescence to motherhood and beyond.
Making Health Care More Accessible for Every Filipino
The PhilHealth team also introduced their upcoming YAKAP package (formerly Konsulta), which combines primary care, cancer screening, and outpatient medicines in one accessible program.
“We are strengthening primary care to make health care more preventive, accessible, and continuous—starting with every Filipino registered to a primary care provider,” said Dr. Mary Antonette Remonte, Primary Care Program Head at PhilHealth.
Meanwhile, PopCom Executive Director Dr. Lisa Bersales emphasized the connection between women’s health and national development:
“To fully benefit from our demographic opportunity, we must ensure that our people—especially women—are healthy and well-supported.”
Empowering Midwives, Empowering Women
Beyond clinical care, midwives are also educators, advocates, and leaders.
Dr. Bernabe Marinduque of the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood urged midwives to strengthen their advocacy for women’s rights — especially the right to make informed family planning choices.
Sandra Rivera from IMAP Region III highlighted curriculum updates that include long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), giving women more safe, reliable, and reversible family planning options that fit their life plans.
As Mona Lisa Diones of FPOP Iloilo expressed it best,
“Midwives are the backbone of reproductive health care in the Philippines.”
Partnerships for Women’s Well-being
The private sector also plays an essential role in empowering women and midwives. Organon Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s health through partnerships, training, and innovation.
“Meaningful impact is only possible when government, healthcare professionals, and the private sector work together,” said Carole Lopez, External Affairs and Communications Lead for Organon in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
“Midwives are often the first and most trusted point of contact for women, and we’re committed to ensuring they have the right tools, training, and innovations to deliver quality care.”
A Renewed Commitment to Women’s Health
The summit ended on a hopeful note as Patricia Gomez, IMAP Executive Director, encouraged midwives to continue learning and leading:
“May this gathering inspire us to gain new knowledge, develop practical skills, and renew our passion. By keeping midwives at the center of UHC implementation, we move one step closer to making quality health care a reality for all.”
Caring for Filipino Moms
It is crucial for every mother to feel supported, informed, and safe, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives play a vital role in making that possible. This summit is a beautiful reminder that when we invest in midwives, we’re not just improving maternal health in the Philippines, but also strengthening families, communities, and generations of Filipinos to come.
Here’s to all the midwives who continue to guide mothers with strength, care, and heart — one birth, one family, and one beautiful story at a time.
