A congress for pregnant women. This is DZMM’s answer to promote Safe Motherhood—a Buntis Congress-- now on its third year.

Thousands of expectant mothers and their spouses are expected to flock to Market! Market! Trade Hall at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig on May 14, 2006. Those who have registered previously at DZMM Public Service Center will get free seminars on safe motherhood and maternal care, and be able to participate in raffle draws and other activities.

Globally, at least 585,000 women die each year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. More than 70% of all maternal deaths are due to five major complications: hemorrhage, infection, unsafe abortion, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and obstructed labor. The majority of maternal deaths—61%--occur in the postpartum period and more than half of these take place within a day after delivery.

Underlying the medical causes of maternal death and disability are a range of social, economic and cultural factors that contribute to women’s health and nutritional problems before, during and after pregnancy, and are integrally linked to women’s low utilization of available health services. These factors include inadequate education, low social status, and lack of income and employment opportunities. Efforts to address these factors are also important for improving maternal health in the long term. This is the reason for holding an annual “Buntis Congress” as part of DZMM’s campaign to promote Safe Motherhood in the country. DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 khz AM is a radio station of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.