With the rising number of birth deaths, Quezon City authorities said they will closely look into the personnel and facilities of maternity clinics to determine their capability to provide optimum healthcare to the public.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ordered Pacifico Maghacot, chief of the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), to coordinate with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) and the city health department in inspecting the maternity clinics for possible infractions.

Maghacot warned midwives and other medical staff of ill-equipped maternity clinics of civil or criminal actions if they continue to defy the standard health procedures of operations.

Of the more than 100 private birthing clinics in the city, Quezon City health authorities said 73 lying-in treatment centers are located in the second congressional district of the city.

Out of this number, Quezon City Hall officials confirmed that only 21 maternity clinics are accredited by Philhealth, including the city government-managed lying-in clinics.