The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has unveiled the outcomes of the April 2024 Licensure Examination for Midwives, with 1,698 individuals successfully passing out of a total of 2,975 candidates. This comprehensive examination, administered by the Board of Midwifery, was conducted across multiple locations throughout the Philippines, including N.C.R., Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Rosales, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.
Among the top performers in this assessment are the leading educational institutions that demonstrated exceptional dedication to providing quality education in midwifery. As per Commission Resolution No. 2017-1058(C) series of 2017, the top three performing schools include Bataan Peninsula State University - Main Campus, Cavite State University (Don Severino Agri. Coll.), and Laguna University - Sta Cruz, Laguna, achieving impressive passing rates of 98.46%, 94.59%, and 91.18%, respectively. This achievement underscores their commitment to equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills for professional practice in midwifery.
Furthermore, the PRC acknowledged the remarkable performance of individual examinees who secured the highest rankings in the April 2024 Midwives Licensure Examination. Notable achievers include Judah Paulo Espero from Camarines Sur Polytechnic College - Nabua, Samantha May Aglit Torcuan from the University of the Phil. School of Health & Sciences - Leyte, and Christina Domingo from Northeastern College, attaining impressive ratings of 91.70%, 91.60%, and 91.35%, respectively. These individuals demonstrated exceptional proficiency and expertise in their field, earning them well-deserved recognition and distinction.
Moving forward, successful examinees are encouraged to proceed with the registration process to obtain their Professional Identification Cards (ID) and Certificates of Registration. Registration will be conducted online starting June 10, 2024, via the official PRC website (www.prc.gov.ph). Examinees must comply with specific requirements, including the submission of the Oath Form, passport-sized photographs, documentary stamps, and a brown envelope.
It is crucial for successful candidates to personally complete the registration and sign the Roster of Registered Professionals, marking their official entry into the midwifery profession.
Our team extends its heartfelt congratulations to all passers of the April 2024 Midwives Licensure Examination. With their newly acquired licenses, these midwives are poised to make significant contributions to healthcare delivery, particularly in maternal and infant care, across the Philippines.
For more information and updates on registration procedures and other inquiries, examinees are advised to visit the PRC website regularly and stay informed of announcements from the Board of Midwifery.
This latest cohort of licensed midwives exemplifies the ongoing dedication of the Philippines to uphold excellence and professionalism in the field of midwifery, ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services to communities nationwide.
PRC Philippines
Midwives are healthcare professionals who specialize in providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They offer a range of services, from prenatal care to labor support and newborn care. Here's an overview of their functions:
1. Prenatal Care
- Initial Assessment: Conducting initial assessments to evaluate the health status of pregnant women and assess their medical history.
- Regular Check-ups: Providing regular prenatal check-ups to monitor the progress of pregnancy, including measuring blood pressure, monitoring fetal growth, and assessing maternal well-being.
- Health Education: Offering guidance on nutrition, exercise, prenatal vitamins, and other aspects of prenatal health and wellness.
- Screening Tests: Ordering and interpreting screening tests, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, and genetic screenings, to assess fetal health and detect any potential complications.
2. Labor and Delivery
- Labor Support: Providing emotional, physical, and informational support to women during labor and childbirth.
- Pain Management: Offering non-pharmacological pain relief techniques, such as breathing exercises, massage, and position changes, to help women cope with labor pain.
- Monitoring: Monitoring maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate, and labor progress to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
- Assistance with Birth: Assisting with the delivery process, including managing complications, administering medications, and facilitating natural childbirth.
3. Postpartum Care
- Immediate Postpartum Care: Providing care and support to women and newborns immediately after childbirth, including assessing maternal and neonatal health, assisting with breastfeeding, and monitoring for complications.
- Postpartum Check-ups: Conducting postpartum check-ups to monitor maternal recovery, assess newborn growth and development, and address any concerns or complications.
- Postpartum Education: Offering education and guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding, postpartum nutrition, and emotional well-being.
4. Family Planning and Reproductive Health
- Contraceptive Counseling: Providing information and counseling on contraceptive options, including birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and condoms.
- Preconception Counseling: Offering guidance to women and couples planning a pregnancy, including advice on optimizing health before conception and managing any pre-existing medical conditions.
- Sexual Health Education: Providing education on sexual health, reproductive anatomy and physiology, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and safe sex practices.
5. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Health Promotion: Promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices that support optimal maternal and newborn health, including nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
- Disease Prevention: Educating women about the importance of vaccinations, screening tests, and preventive healthcare measures during pregnancy and beyond.
- Risk Assessment: Assessing women's risk factors for pregnancy complications, such as advanced maternal age, medical conditions, and previous obstetric history, and providing appropriate interventions and referrals as needed.
6. Collaboration and Referrals
- Interprofessional Collaboration: Collaborating with obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for women and newborns.
- Referrals: Referring women to specialists or other healthcare providers for specialized care or additional support when needed, such as high-risk pregnancy management or newborn medical conditions.
- Community Resources: Connecting women and families with community resources, support groups, and social services to address social determinants of health and promote overall well-being.
7. Advocacy and Empowerment
- Patient Advocacy: Advocating for women's rights, autonomy, and preferences in maternity care decision-making, including informed consent and shared decision-making.
- Empowerment: Empowering women to actively participate in their own care, make informed choices about their health and childbirth experiences, and advocate for their needs and preferences.
8. Continuous Professional Development
- Continuing Education: Participating in ongoing education and training to stay updated on evidence-based practices, clinical guidelines, and advancements in midwifery care.
- Certification Maintenance: Maintaining professional certifications and licenses required for practice as a midwife, including completing continuing education requirements and meeting clinical practice standards.
Midwives play a crucial role in promoting maternal and newborn health, supporting women throughout the childbirth process, and ensuring positive pregnancy and birth experiences. Their holistic approach to care emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making, personalized support, and respectful maternity care.