The Malita Experience Speech

Wednesday, August 26, 2015


When WHO asked me to introduce the AVP for Himsog na Malita, I was bothered. With the number of maternal deaths in Malita, how am I supposed to lighten that. It was during conversations with my husband and Dr. Coloma that an idea came. And with the help of my husband, I was able to deliver this message during "The Malita Experience". Please respect that these are my words. Should you wish to get excerpts here, do let me know and do acknowledge where you got it. Here goes:


"To our distinguish guests, ladies and gentlemen good morning.

As you may have known by now, Malita was the pilot area for the WHO SNI. At first, nobody knew much about Malita except for it being a very far away place. Before WHO came, we were having problems on how to better engage with the community. Every time we get the barangay officials involve, all they could think of was to let the barangay health workers attend to the municipal health personnels and then prepare for our meals. We were barely engaging with them, how much more with the community. 

In terms of development partners, there were none. Though we get a few medical missions with some foreign aid, but medical missions are different from being development partners. 

Plus maternal deaths continue to be high. Facility-based deliveries  were very low and traditional birth attendants were rampant despite the efforts of warning them against legal actions.

So when WHO came, there was a complete turn of events. We started of with the Malita Heath Summit, showcasing the health profile of Malita to the different stakeholders. After that came the real work. 

With the technical assistance of WHO and DOH, we started reaching out to the communities by getting in touch with the barangay captains. We showed them the different health indicators, showed them the problems in achieving the different health indicators and showed them the LGU scorecard. 

We got in touch with our MLGOO and together with the WHO, came up with the Barangay Performance Audit. We also reached out to the tribal leaders, the different indigenous women, and the traditional birth attendants in the hope of making them understand the importance of having their pregnant women be seen by our health personnels and them being our partners in reducing maternal deaths. 

The most difficult thing to change, be it in beliefs or in practices, is the culture.  Malita is 80% composed of indigenous people. We have recognized 3 different tribes and 1 group. We have the Tagacaolo, Manobo, B'laan and the Muslim. 

As our beloved mayor, the Honorable Benjamin P. Bautista Jr. said, "you cannot expect the indigenous people to adapt to you. You have to adapt to them. You have to dig into their culture and understand the way they live." And so came changes to policies. We opted for skilled birth attendance rather than facility based deliveries if the situation calls for it. Incentives for our partners are put into place to encourage them to bring in patients. We are constantly searching for new strategies to answer the diverse problems surrounding the community. 

Our journey with WHO was never easy. We tried different approaches to better understand why such events occur.

As of today, we have the Handicap International as one of our development partners in the combat against hypertension and Diabetes. We are also happy to have KOICA's funding assistance until 2018. We also have the IMPACT TB of the PBSB USAID to provide assistance to Malita. 

We still have the highest maternal mortality, but we also have high facility based deliveries. For our RHU birthing home, our monthly deliveries is around 25-30 from last years 5-10 deliveries, about 300% increase; while hospital deliveries in Malita district Hospital would range from 180 to 200 deliveries from 28-38 deliveries per month, about 600% increase. I have not included those who delivered in our private clinics. 

To better cater to the pregnant women, CVD patients and TB patients in far flung barangays, we are doing the RHU-on-wheels in partnership with the provincial medical outreach team and the provincial disaster risk reduction team. And I have my husband here with me, Dr. Glinard Quezada, who is the Chief of Hospital, to thank for the support. 

I also have with me our Municipal Administrator, Engr. Bryan Bautista, who is representing our Mayor. 

We already had our initial conversation with the representative from IP-MNCHN who will look into the culture of the indigenous people to better understand them and to search for ways to better engage with them. 

Next month, we will start with the "ALAGA ka program" of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in partnership with the Municipal Social Welfare and Develoment Office,  the Pantawid Pamilya Division in Malita, Municipal Health Office and the Municipal Local Civil Registrar in the hope of providing all Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries their own correct and updated Members Data Record which will help them in times of hospital admissions.

On a personal level, there is still much work to be done for Malita. But looking at the progress it has achieved, and with continuing partnership with the different agencies, it is looking brighter an ever. 

I do not know how the SNI will help the other municipalities, I do not know what programs they have in store for them. But here's my advice, work with them, appreciate their presence in all levels of being, make them understand, show them how you see your municipalities and probably they will show you another perspective in looking at the current situation to better understand and better plan for your constituents. But that's it. I cannot tell you more. Everything else will come.

At this point, I think it's best to show you how our journey with the WHO SNI has prospered. I think it is best to listen to our partners as well. 

Thank you very much and once again, good morning."

- Anne Margaux Bautista - Quezada, MD, MPH



The Malita Experience

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Last August 18, 2015 was the project launch of the implementation of the Subnational Initiative of the World Health Organization. Malita being the pilot site was given the highlight of the event. It was also the launching of ACCESS for MNH or Accelerating Convergence Efforts For Systems Strengthening for Maternal and Newborn Health.

Maternal deaths continue to confront the country. With different efforts to reduce maternal health, somehow it is never easy. With the MDG 2015 almost to end, it doesn't mean that efforts would end, when MDG ends. The fight to reduce maternal death and neonatal death will continue. And as Dr. Dumama said, "Walang nanay at sanggol ang mamamatay dahil sa panganganak."

The SNI project will be replicated to the 9 other municipalities/cities.

The Ambassador of Korea, Representatives of KOICA, the Regional Director of WHO Western Pacific Region, the WHO Representative to the Philippines, Governors, Mayors, PHOs, MHOs and so many more dignitaries where there to grace the event.

As for my speech.... well that's another post :)









Me during my speech

My brother, Engr. Bryan Bautista signing in behalf of the mayor.

My husband, Dr. Glinard L. Quezada.








Gender Responsive Case Management

Monday, August 17, 2015

Seminars are always a good way to meet new people who work for the same cause. Plus it's a way of learning how other areas deliver their programs. In this case, I happen to realize that all of us are having the same problems with the templates, the forms and the stresses of solving other people's problems... the problems of social work.

Whoever said social work is easy as A-B-C, must be god. I have never been so stressed in my whole life up until I got into the Social Welfare and Development Office. And I salute the registered social workers and the social workers at heart (which I now belong) who have untiringly devoted their life to helping others.

The government is keen on making everything gender sensitive, including now the case management of Violence Against Women and Children. The reports and the forms should be gender sensitive. How you address a certain individual should be gender sensitive. Here are some of the photos taken during the seminars.


Ms Dolly of DSWD

This is Robert from Laak, one of my group mates presenting the learnings from the previous day.

Ms. Linda

The Head of the 4Ps Program

The view from my seat. Robert and Hosna.

Thank you Madam E!

Sunday, August 16, 2015

A dear friend of mine happened to remember me on her vacation when she saw this ;) No words could ever express how much this means to me. I used to collect all sorts of pen. So this is very much appreciated. I could not thank you enough. Will try this one out when I'm all alone. I bet I won't be able to stop once I begin. hehehe








My Latest Loot

Saturday, August 15, 2015

We discovered this new go-to-place for art supplies, Morning Light Art Gallery and Shop. For an art enthusiast, this is paradise. You'll find just about everything you need for paintings, whether watercolour or oil, different brushes, different containers and so much more. For someone like me who is more on sketches, just found different kinds of pencils and papers. She also sells painting and woodcrafts. 





I recommended it to a friend and she loves the place. You can try browsing them in Facebook as well, if you jsut wanna check out her items first before going to the area. A word of advice though, bring lots of money. hahahaha

Another place to go for art supplies and calligraphy is the Artisan, located beside the Yellow Hauz Coffee Shop. She also carries other craft items. Drop by her place to see if she has what you've been looking for.

Sharing to you some of my loot:


The water colour sketch pad, the bottle with the red dropper and the brush was from Morning Light. The nibs, the oblique holder and the cocoiro holder and refill and the walnut ink are from the Artisan.

Happy Birthday M!

Friday, August 14, 2015

It has been 4 wonderful years... years filled with tears, sweat and blood. I pray that you grow up to be a good man. Never forget what we taught you, always be a God-loving person. Have fun today my little man. Even when you are sick, I pray that you will enjoy your birthday. We love you very very much.





He loves chocolates!


The time when Tito I rushed him to the ER. They had to stitch it up.


It was almost 12mn and he still wanted to play.


My dear boy, do not be afraid. 
No stranger can harm you. 
No monster can take you. 
Trust that you will be safe. 
Trust that you will be loved. 
For I am here, always I am here. 

Children you are growing fast
Soon you won’t be beside me all the time
I wish I could stop time
And hope that you stay young for life
Worry not for problems to arise
Mommy will be here to fight with you
I just wish that even when you’re all grown up
Mommy is still your best friend for life. - anne



Happy Birthday M!

RHU ON WHEELS Brgy. Lagumit

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

If it weren't for the Provincial Medical Outreach Team and the rest of the RHU staff, this would not have been possible. The fourth and last leg of the rhu-on-wheels for the month of July was in Barangay Lagumit with 37 prenatal patients and 32 Cardiovascular Disease Patients.
































RHU ON WHEELS Brgy. Kilalag

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

The third barangay visited for the RHU on Wheels was Barangay Kilalag with 19 prenatal patients and 44 Cardiovascular disease patients. Again, we would like to thank the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur for assisting us, to Dr. Glinard L. Quezada and his team, to Sir Harry Camoro and the rest of the PDRRMO team who helped us and to the officials of the barangay for the very warm welcome.


Registration of patients













Ultrasound room
















Fritz, one of the NDP, giving a lecture on Cardiovascular Disease