August is recognized and celebrated as National Family Planning Month in order to raise public awareness of the importance of FP in supporting the general health and well-being of the population. Family planning (FP), as defined by the Department of Health (DOH), is "having the desired number of children and when you want to have them by using safe and effective modern methods" In the Philippines, through widespread access to high-quality family planning information and services, Filipino women and men can have as many children as they choose and satisfy their legal obligations on reproductive health and rights.
So, what is the importance of Family Planning? In addition to fostering gender equality, sustainable population growth, poverty reduction, and economic development, family planning enhances women's and children's health. The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) and the Department of Health (DOH), as co-managers of the FP Program, continue to provide responsive policy guidance and guarantee access for Filipinos to medically safe, legal, non-abortifacient, efficient, and culturally acceptable modern family planning (FP) methods. This is true despite the implications and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of the internet and online platforms to disseminate information, respond to queries, and offer support was maximized.
On August 4, 2021, a Joint Health Event of DOH and POPCOM dubbed "Usap Tayo sa National Family Planning Month" was held through zoom to launch the event. Family Planning (FP), which is supported by the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, has been identified as a critical intervention in the realization of the nation's Demographic Dividend and as such, a factor in the achievement of Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Family planning-related efforts are threatened by COVID-19; hence it is important to strengthen both the accessibility and diffusion of the services. In addition to this, there needs to be more public outreach to let potential patients know about the procedures and services they might use.
There are events and activities that will be conducted to promote family planning, especially during COVID-19. Visit the POPCOM official website and the Facebook page for additional information on how to participate in the activities.
PDO I Kimberly Tanador, RND
References:
tinyurl.com/HSSFamilyPlanningMonth2021
