The EINC practices are evidenced-based standards for safe and quality care

of birthing mothers and their newborns, within the 48 hours of Intrapartum period
(labor and delivery) and a week of life for the newborn (WPRO, 2015).

The practices during the intrapartum period include continuous maternal support by
having a companion of choice during labor and delivery, freedom of movement during labor,
monitoring progress of labor using the partograph, non-drug pain relief before offering labor
anesthesia, position of choice during labor and delivery, spontaneous pushing in a semi-upright
position, non-routine episiotomy, and active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL).
Since the implementation of Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) principles
in 2009, child mortality showed significant reduction and maternal health showed improvement.
In the Philippines, 40 000 newborns die in the country each year, from preventable causes such as
complications of prematurity (41%), birth asphyxia (15%), or severe infection (16%). Most deaths occur
within the first two days of life of the baby.

Maternal mortality rate in the country is steadily decreasing since 1990. However, the decrease is at a
very slow pace that MDG 5 target (of only 52 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births by 2015) will not be
met unless effective measures are instituted.

Moreover, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia of the Memorial Research and Medical Center adopted
the Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) because of its evidence based standards that
reduce maternal and newborn mortality rate as recommended by the Department of Health,
PhilHealth, and the World Health Organization. It supports the national commitment to the
United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5 by the year 2015. Then after, the
implementation of the EINC Protocol in both public and private hospitals or the Administrative
Order 2009-0025 was signed by the Secretary of the Department of Health Francisco Duque on
December 2009.

Within Davao, there have been movements on expanding the practice and principles of
Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC). Last May 21-23, 2014 the 1st two batches of
EINC Scale-up Workshop were conducted by the DOH Regional Office XI at the Ritz Hotel of
Garden Oases, Bo. Obrero, Davao City. These two batches were composed of health personnel
representing their private hospitals, lying-in and maternity clinics. The two batches of quality
assurance workshop were graced by the Lead Convener/Consultant of EINC from the WHO, Dr.
Maria Asuncion Silvestre. She gave the overview of the EINC Program as well as the Evidence
to Policy of the Newborn Care.