BARECUATRO, Angelica Claire B.

BSN 2-12A, NRG 203 RLE

REFLECTION PAPER
A “Hilot” Urges Mothers to Give Birth at Health Facilities

On February 23, 2021, the United Nations Population Fund – Philippines published an
article about Kiengko Ebad’s, a traditional birth attendant (TBA) or mang hihilot, experience on
caring for antepartum mothers. The said article was entitled A “Hilot” Urges Mothers to Give Birth
at Health Facilities, and the interview was done in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, Philippines. The
article mainly talked about Ebad’s significant challenges such as delivering babies with no limbs.
Although most of the TBAs do not have any formal training, Ebad has decades of experience in
assisting mothers before and during childbirth. Furthermore, many people in rural regions choose
at-home births because they are less expensive, but a lack of sufficient materials and training for
hilots can result in pregnancy problems and maternal mortality. Ebad is passionate about her
work and highlights the necessity of giving birth in a medical facility for the safety and well-being
of moms and children. She also wishes to pass on her expertise and training to her
granddaughter, who aims to become a qualified midwife and contribute to future safe delivery
practices.

Being the eldest among us three siblings have given me an opportunity to witness the
struggle of a pregnant women during her anterpartum stage. I, myself, had experienced the basics
of professional nurses or TBAs’ jobs since I was the one who assisted my mother during her
pregnancy due to the absence of my OFW father. As I can recall, my mother would visit her OB-
GYN every month, and I was ecstatic to see my little sisters on the screen of the ultrasound every
time. The planning for the names, buying the baby’s necessities, and by simply feeling her tummy,
everything was surreal to me. However, despite those thrilling times, I had also witnessed how
my mother’s body became distress over the effects of pregnancy. In addition, it was not only
physically and mentally challenging, but bearing a child also challenges you financially. Hence,
there were moments that my mom would also seek assistance in TBA to assess the fetus
condition. Nonetheless, we were still lucky that we are privileged enough to be able to afford
sufficient hospital care for my sisters’ delivery.

As a student who is currently taking up BS Nursing and is on her 2nd year, we were
privileged enough to see a glimpse of the status of the obstetrics community in the Philippines.
Although there are free government services that offers antepartum care for mothers and their
children, it is sad to say that not all these services can reach all of the corners of the rural areas.
Hence, as stated by Ebad in the former part, there are mothers who proceeds in seeking
assistance to the manghihilot since they offer low prices or even free services, just to deliver the
baby successfully. Nevertheless, I am saddened by the reality of the healthcare in the Philippines,
since there is still a long list of problems needed to be addressed, especially in terms of the
obstetrics community. Even there are government hospitals, such as the Southern Philippines
Medical Center, that offers one of the best quality services in childbearing, the reality still afloat
that nurses are overworked, and supplies still lack for that department.

With this, as a future ally of the healthcare and medical field, I dream of a country where
access to healthcare is accessible for everyone, and not just for those who are privileged.
Obstetrics department should also be given more attention since it is the field that oversee taking
care on the start of life. In addition, it is undeniable that the country is facing scarcity in medical
professionals such as doctors and nurses due to being underpaid yet overworked. Hence, I also
cannot deny the opportunity that other countries have to offer for my field.

Overall, due to the lack of sufficient access of healthcare in the Philippines, the Filipinos
itself making initiatives and resorting to the cheapest option that they could find in terms of
antepartum care. Manghihilots such as Kiengko Ebad, are the living proofs that Filipinos still seek
traditional ways in preterm cares. Hence, I hope that all professional and non-professionals would
be able to receive the appraisal and sustenance that they deserve.

Reference:
A “Hilot” urges mothers to give birth at health facilities. (2022, July 15). UNFPA Philippines.
https://philippines.unfpa.org/en/news/%E2%80%9Chilot%E2%80%9D-urges-mothers-give-birth-
health-facilities?fbclid=IwAR3y-ib_-
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