Proceedings of the “Safe Beginnings: 1st Regional Conference on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) in CaLaBaRZon in partnership with 14th International Conference on the MCH Handbook”

抄録

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook is an essential home-based health promotion tool and recording instrument that ensures utilization of maternal and child care services among pregnant women, mothers, and children. To recognize the significance of effective MCH and MCH Handbook programs, the International Committee on MCH Handbook organizes the biennial International Conference on MCH Handbook, that brings together experts and stakeholders from around the globe. In 2024, the 14th International Conference on MCH Handbook was staged concurrently with the 1st Regional Conference on MCH in the Philippines' CaLaBaRZon Region. The first day of the conference highlighted MCH handbook implementation and evaluation from 18 different countries and MCH recommendations from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The second day of the conference featured the MCH situation and MCH handbook implementation in the CaLaBaRZon Region and ways forward towards effective MCH care. The conference concluded with the formal introduction of the Manila Declaration, with renewed commitment and strengthened collaboration towards effective implementation and sustainability of the MCH Handbook program, to ensure a safe beginning and thriving future to mothers and children in CaLaBaRZon and worldwide.