Sen. Pia lauds Fil-Am midwife Robin Lim
for being chosen CNN Hero of the Year

"I join the world in celebrating the selection of Filipino-American midwife Robin Lim as CNN Hero of the Year. She is a source of pride to all Filipinos, especially to those who have been fighting for better maternal and reproductive health care services in a country where 11 mothers die daily due to birth-related complications. The foundation she started in poor communities in Bali, Indonesia, helped saved the lives of mothers by providing free pre-natal, birth and other health services.

"Like Robin, there are many unsung heroes in our own country. They are our midwives who play a crucial role in the community. Without recognition by the general public, they do their work quietly, attending to mothers and ensuring safe pregnancies.

They have saved countless lives. And government should expand existing programs to ensure that there is one midwife for every 5,000 population, as recommended by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health."