Eight months after Typhoon Yolanda, the Government of Japan and the United Nations Population Fund completed the repair and handed over to the local government of Palo, Leyte one of the birthing facilities damaged during the typhoon last November.

A day before the ceremonial handover, 26-year-old Amelia Sozalo became the first mother to give birth at the UP SHS Health Centre and Palo Maternity House after its renovation. The baby boy, named Bob Ramiel, weighed 3.1 kilos at birth on July 1. 

Amelia was nostalgic about the birth. “He is my second son. This was the same birthing centre where my first son was born two years ago,” she said, adding that she did not expect the facility to be back in operation by the time she gives birth.

Amelia was two months pregnant when she and her family escaped the wrath of Yolanda, which was categorized as super typhoon, on November 9, 2013. Despite the many stories of harrowing experiences by survivors, Amelia’s family was thankful all they suffered was a damaged house.

The birthing centre stopped operating since the disaster. The facility is just one of the 19 birthing centres damaged by Yolanda through the generous support of the Government of Japan, which donated $1.4 million for the Yolanda humanitarian response through UNFPA.

“UNFPA and Japan have an excellent cooperative relationship over the years. Japan, through its financial assistance, has been working with UNFPA in projects such as those aimed at responding to reproductive health needs and preventing and managing gender-based violence,” said Hiroyuki Enoki, First Secretary from the Economic Section of the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

“In a sustained manner, construction of birthing facilities is one of the key activities for responding to reproductive health needs. It is a great honour for Japan to be able to contribute to the improvement of reproductive health in the Philippines,” he added.

Incidentally, the health centre was built in 2007 through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Midwife Teresita Conos, who assisted Amelia in her delivery, was happy to be back at work in the facility. Prior to Yolanda, she said as many as 60 babies are born at the birthing center per month. The facility also serves residents from neighbouring municipalities.