Midwives Summit Champions Collaboration for Women’s Health and Universal Care

     The Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP), in partnership with Organon Philippines, brought together midwives, government agencies, and development partners for the Midwives Summit 2025, themed “Sustaining Women’s Health – Well-being in Every Community.”

     The forum underscored the essential role of midwives in advancing Universal Health Care (UHC) and highlighted the power of collaboration between public and private sectors to expand reproductive health access in underserved communities. Representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth, the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), the academe, and civil society shared updates and insights.

Midwives Summit Champions Collaboration for  Women’s Health and Universal Care
Leaders from the public and private sectors join midwives in reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing women’s health and well-being during the Midwives Summit 2025

     “Behind every safe birth and every healthy mother is a competent, compassionate, and courageous midwife,” said Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, affirming midwives’ central role in community care. “When we take care of women, they take care of everyone else, their children, their families, and the next generation of Filipinos.”

     DOH shared measures aimed at lowering maternal mortality and preventing adolescent pregnancies, including adolescent-friendly health services and the HPV vaccination program for Grade 4 girls, both crucial to protecting women across the life course.

Midwives Summit Champions Collaboration for  Women’s Health and Universal Care

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, underscores the vital role of midwives in driving Universal Health Care and promoting women’s health across communities during the Midwives Summit 2025

     From the financing perspective, PhilHealth officials outlined the forthcoming YAKAP package (formerly Konsulta), which integrates primary care, cancer screening, and outpatient medicines. “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.

     PopCom Executive Director Dr. Lisa Bersales emphasized that linking demographic opportunities with health investments is key to sustainable development. “To fully benefit from our demographic opportunity, we must ensure that our people—especially women—are healthy and well-supported,” she noted, underscoring family planning as a foundation for national progress.

     The summit also addressed the evolving training and advocacy roles of midwives. Dr. Bernabe Marinduque, Past President of the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood, urged midwives to champion women’s rights and strengthen their competencies. “Midwives must evolve into strong advocates for women’s rights—the right to decide when to get pregnant and how many children to have,” he said, adding that education and supportive supervision can help save more mothers and newborns.

Midwives Summit Champions Collaboration for  Women’s Health and Universal Care
Experts discuss how strengthened midwifery practice supports the goals of Universal Health Care and women’s well-being at the Midwives Summit 2025

     Midwives from across the country echoed these calls for empowerment. Sandra Rivera of IMAP Region III highlighted curriculum updates and the inclusion of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in practice. “These methods offer reliable, reversible protection and empower women with more choices that fit their needs and life plans,” she shared. Mona Lisa Diones of FPOP Iloilo summed it up: “Midwives are the backbone of reproductive health care in the Philippines.”

     Representing the private sector, Organon Philippines reaffirmed its support for midwifery development. “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.”

     The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen midwifery education, supply chains, and community outreach—critical steps to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths and bring the promise of Universal Health Care closer to every Filipino woman.

     “May this gathering inspire us to gain new knowledge, develop practical skills, and renew our passion,” said Patricia Gomez, IMAP Executive Director. “By keeping midwives at the center of UHC implementation, we move one step closer to making quality health care a reality for all.”