Midwives Summit 2025 Strengthens Collaboration for Women’s Health and Universal Care

The Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP), in collaboration with Organon Philippines, gathered healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocates for the Midwives Summit 2025, held under the theme “Sustaining Women’s Health – Well-being in Every Community.”

This year’s summit emphasized the vital role of midwives in achieving Universal Health Care (UHC) and showcased the power of public-private partnerships in improving access to reproductive health services, especially in underserved areas.

Empowering Midwives as Frontline Health Leaders

Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa underscored that every healthy mother and safe birth relies on skilled and compassionate midwives.

“When we take care of women, they take care of everyone else—their children, their families, and the next generation of Filipinos,” he said.

The Department of Health (DOH) presented ongoing initiatives to reduce maternal deaths and prevent adolescent pregnancies, including adolescent-friendly health programs and HPV vaccination for Grade 4 girls—key efforts in protecting women across their lifespan.

Strengthening Primary and Reproductive Health

PhilHealth officials introduced the YAKAP Package (formerly Konsulta), integrating primary care, cancer screening, and outpatient medicines into one comprehensive benefit.

“We aim to make healthcare more preventive, accessible, and continuous—beginning 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 highlighted the importance of aligning health investments with demographic opportunities, emphasizing that family planning remains central to the nation’s sustainable growth.

Midwives as Advocates for Women’s Rights

Speakers from various sectors called for continuous midwifery education and stronger advocacy.
Dr. Bernabe Marinduque, Past President of the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood, urged midwives to lead in empowering women.

“Midwives must champion women’s rights—the right to decide when and how many children to have,” he said.

Midwives across regions shared updates on curriculum improvements and the inclusion of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in their practice, offering women more choices and control over their reproductive health.

Public-Private Collaboration for Sustainable Impact

Representing the private sector, Organon Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to supporting midwifery development.

“Real impact happens 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.

A Renewed Commitment to Universal Health Care

The summit concluded with a shared pledge to strengthen midwifery education, supply systems, and community engagement—paving the way for safer pregnancies and a healthier future for Filipino women.

Patricia Gomez, IMAP Executive Director, encapsulated the event’s spirit:

“By keeping midwives at the heart of Universal Health Care implementation, we move closer to making quality healthcare a reality for all.”