The Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing, Inc. (ADPCN INC.

) in partnership with
United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) conducted a seminar workshop on Maternal and Child Nursing with
focus of integrating Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care in the BSN Curriculum last September 4-6, 2013
at the Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila. It was attended by academicians coming from various nursing
schools in the Philippines. This three-day sharing of new protocols and practices in caring for the mother and
child before, during and after the delivery was headed by Dean Elizabeth Roxas and Dean Edna Imperial, the
Project Chair and Project Co-Chair of the said training.
The first day of the training started at exactly 8:30 am through opening ceremonies and welcome
messages from the organizers of the event. Dr. Me Anne Silvestre from Philippine Obstetrical and
Gynecological Society (POGS) was the first speaker of the event. She stressed about Maternal, Newborn, Child
Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Service Delivery Network, stating the capabilities and limitations of
Community Level Service Providers with Community Health Teams, BEmONC (Basic Emergency Obstetrics
and Newborn Care) Capable Health Facilities and CEmONC (Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and
Newborn Care) Capable Health Facilities. She gave a wonderful introduction regarding Unang Yakap and the
Policy Objectives which coincide within MNCHN. Moreover, various social networking media were discussed
in order to provide linkage between community, clinical and academic environments. The second speaker was
Dr. Teresita Cadiz Brion, also a representative from Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS).
She discussed about the important principles in EINC. She even pointed out the common reasons of infant
death. She uttered that majority of newborns die due to stressful events or conditions during labor, delivery and
the immediate postpartum period. She also presented solid evidences of certain Newborn Care Practices which
save lives of the mother and the newborn. The following are the utilization of antenatal steroids, providing
warm environment, immediate thorough drying for at least 30 seconds, avoidance of suctioning, early skin to
skin contact, properly timed cord clamping, non separation of newborn to mother and early and appropriate
breastfeeding initiation. Moreover, understanding relative risk and confidence interval was also being
emphasized in the person of Mrs. Trinidad Silva Ignacio, one of the trained facilitators of the event and a
Professor in University of Sto. Tomas. Here, statistical analysis and interpreting significance and benefits of
maternal interventions represented by numbers were being taught. Furthermore, cup feeding, kangaroo mother
care and infant feeding during emergencies were being emphasized by Ms. Michelle Bangui, a Professor in St.
Paul University Manila. She compared the usage of cup and bottle in feeding. It was found out that bottle
feeding can harm the normal intestinal flora of the newborn. However, Prof. Marica Estrada, a representative
from University of Sto. Tomas taught the benefits and concepts of partograph. This is a tool to help in the
management of labor which guides birth attendant to identify women whose labor is delayed and therefore

decide appropriate action. Next topic which was being imparted was the WHO 1-2-3-4-5 handwashing
procedure which was delivered by Ms. Sylvia David. She demonstrated the new and updated handwashing
technique. This days last lecture was again given by Ms. Michelle Bangui and she emphasized the step by step
guide to EINC practices. This was being practiced by the participants because a return demonstration was
expected as next days evaluation.

The next day, the entire group focused on the lecture of Dean Roxas about the role of academe in scaling
up Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care. Outcome based education was also being discussed as
academicians must exert more effort in taking a total maneuver of nursing education framework of teaching and
learning. Secondary to this was the return demonstration of the EINC practices by all participants. Next to this
was the other activity about presentation of instructional designs of EINC in the BSN Curriculum
Furthermore, the vigor and interests of the participants remain strong as the third and last day came.
Breastfeeding was being discussed by Dr. Bernardo, a Lactation Consultant of St. Lukes Global City. She
shared the possible opportunities for nurses of becoming a lactation nurse having the responsibility of initiating
and motivating mothers to choose breastfeeding over formula feeding. The benefits and guidelines of
breastfeeding procedure were also being highlighted. As an evaluation, a teaching demonstration was being
delivered again by the participants, having the purpose of recapitulating what were being discussed for this
three day seminar-workshop. Lastly, as a reward, the facilitators gave the participants Certificate of Completion
and a free dummy named as Mama Natalie, a birthing simulator.

Summing up, this training served as an eye opener and solid evidence that EINC is really a practice
which we should appreciate in improving maternal and child health. This is also a manifestation that nursing
professionals are really molded to be innovative and resourceful. Ultimately, this was crafted to ensure the
clients welfare and again to improve nursing quality of care.