Adolescent and Youth Health and Development Program (AYHDP)

In line with the global policy changes on adolescents and youth, the DOH created the Adolescent and Youth Health and Development
Program (AYHDP) which is lodged at the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) specifically the Center for
Family and Environmental Health (CFEH). The program is an expanded version of Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) element of
Reproductive Health which aims to integrate adolescent and youth health services into the health delivery systems.
The DOH, with the participation of other line agencies, partners from the medical discipline, NGOs and donor agencies have
developed a policy on adolescent and youth health as well as complementary guidelines and service protocol to ensure young
peoples health needs are given attention.
The Program shall mainly focus on addressing the following health concerns regardless of their sex, race and socioeconomic
background:
* Growth and Development concerns Nutrition Physical, mental and emotional status
* Reproductive Health Sexuality Reproductive Tract Infection (STD, HIV/AIDS) Responsible Parenthood Maternal & Child Health
* Communicable Diseases Diarrhea, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Measles, Malaria, etc.
* Mental Health Substance use and abuse
* Intentional / non-intentional injuries Disability
Other issues and concerns such as vocational, education, social and employment needs where the DOH has no direct mandate nor
control, shall be coordinated closely with other concerned line agencies, and NGOs.
Vision: Well-informed, empowered, responsible and healthy adolescents and youth.
Mission: Ensure that all adolescent and youth have access to quality health care services in an adolescent and youth friendly
environment.
Goal: The total health, well being and self esteem of young people are promoted.
Objectives:
By the year 2004:
Health Status Objectives:
* reduce the mortality rate among adolescents and youth
Risk Reduction Objectives:
* reduce the proportion of teenage girls (15-19 years old) who began child bearing to 3.5 % (baseline-7% in 1998 NDHS)
* increase the health care seeking behavior of adolescents to 50% (baseline: still to be established)
* increase the knowledge and awareness level of adolescent on fertility, sexuality and sexual health to 80% (baseline: still to be
established)
* increase the knowledge and awareness level of adolescents on accident and injury prevention to 50% (baseline: still to be
established) Services and Protection Objectives:
* increase the percentage of health facilities providing basic health services including counseling for adolescents and youth to 70%.
(baseline- still to be established)
* establish specialized services for occupational illnesses, victims of rape and violence, substance abuse in 50% of DOH hospitals
* integrate gender-sensitivity training and reproductive health in the secondary school curriculum.
* Establish resource centers or one stop shop for adolescents and youth in each province.
Guiding Principles:
1. Involvement of the youth
The AYHDP shall involve the young people in the design, planning implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities and
program to ensure that it is acceptable, appealing and relevant to them. In so doing, they become part of the solution rather than
the problem. Further, it:
(1) favors the acquisition of valuable skills including interpersonal skills,
(2) gives young people self confidence,
(3) promotes individual self esteem and competence, and
(4) contributes to a sense of belonging.
2. Rights Based Approach
In all aspects of program implementation, the promotion of young peoples rights shall be applied. This is to ensure protection of
adolescent and youth against neglect, abuse and exploitation and guaranteeing to them their basic human rights including survival,
development and full participation in social, cultural, educational and other endeavors necessary for their individual growth and well
being.

3. Diversity of adolescents needs and problems

The program shall recognize the diverse characteristic and needs of adolescents in different situations. Their concerns and perception
vary by demographic and socio-economic characteristics, sex and circumstances. But even how diverse the problems are, oftentimes
they have common roots, its underlying causes are closely connected and the solutions are similar and interrelated. They are
addressed most effectively by a combination of intervention that promote healthy development.
4. Gender & health perspective
A gender perspective shall be adopted in all processes of policy formulation, implementation and in the delivery of services,
especially sexual and reproductive health. This perspective will act upon inequalities that arise from belonging to one sex or the
other, or from the unequal power relation between sexes. Adolescents have distinct and complex gender differences in behavior
patterns, socialization process and expected roles in family, community and society. A gender gap exist in terms of opportunities in
education and employment and access to health services. Girls are often victims of traditional, discriminatory and harmful practices,
including sexual abuse and exploitation. Besides, their individual development needs are also neglected because of the persistent and
stereotypical roles that they are expected to perform. On the other hand, young boys can be particularly vulnerable, such as those in
situations in armed conflict or crises. Adults often perpetuate traditional gender roles that trap young people in high risk behavior.
They can therefore play a major role in helping them change their attitudes and prevent exploitation of adolescents.
Program Strategies:
The DOH shall adopt a two pronged inextricably linked and overarching strategies:
* To Promote healthy development among young adults by building their life coping skills; promoting positive values and by creating
a safe and supportive environment for their growth and development;
* To prevent and respond to adolescent health problems through provision of adequate, accurate and timely information about their
health, rights and other issues and through the availability of integrated, quality and gender sensitive adolescent health services that
will bring about positive behavior and healthy lifestyle.
1. Service provision:The program shall ensure the access and provision of quality gender responsive biomedical and psychosocial
services. Eventually, these will contribute to the reduction of maternal, infant, child and young peoples morbidity and mortality,
ensure the quality of life of the families and communities; and promote total health and well being of Filipino adolescents and youth.
2. Education and Information: Early education and information sharing for adolescents and service information providers: the
parents, teachers, communities, church, health staff, media and NGOs on adolescent health concerns and an intensified and
responsive counseling services geared towards adolescent health shall be done. This aims to increase knowledge and understanding
of a particular health issue, and with the explicit intention of motivating the young people to adopt healthy behavior and to prevent
health hazards such as unwanted pregnancies, STDs, substance use / abuse, violent behavior and nutritional deficiencies.
3. Building skills: Adolescents and youth shall have life skills training to enable them to deal effectively with the demands and
challenges of everyday life. It refers to skills that enhance psychosocial development, decision making and problem solving; creative
and critical thinking; communication and interpersonal relations , self awareness, coping with emotions and causes of stress.
Examples of these skills are:
* Self care skills eg. how to plan and prepare healthy meals or ensure good personal hygiene and appearance. * Livelihood skills eg.
how to obtain and keep work.
* Skills for dealing with specific risky situations eg. how to say no when under peer pressure to use drug. Further, life skills shall be
integrated in the training module for health workers as well as in the school curricula. On the other hand, service providers, parents
and teachers shall also be equipped with competencies to influence behavior of adolescents and promote healthy development and
prevent health problems.
4. Promoting a safe and supportive environment: A safe and supportive environment is part of what motivates young people to
make healthy decisions. It refers to an environment that:
(1) nurtures and guides young people towards healthy development;
(2) provides the least trauma, excessive stress, violence and abuse;
(3) provides a positive close relationship with family, other adults and peers;
(4) provides specific support in making individual responsible behavior choices. While intervention should now focus on the action
that will facilitate growth and development and encourage adolescents and youth to practice healthy behavior, the following major
aspects of social environment have to be considered:
1. Relationship with families, service providers and significant others. Adults contribute to a supportive climate for behavioral
choices through positive relationship. They can substantially enrich the lives of young people through their fundamental role as
parents and care-givers
2. Social norms and cultural practices. This involve what people typically do in all areas of life and peoples expectation of others.
These forces usually shape the lives of young people thus it is important to take note of the attitudes and practices that are harmful
to them. Attitudes and norms concerning (a)early marriage, (b)sexual behavior among young people, (c)access to information about
sexuality may need to be addressed.
3. Mass Media and entertainment: The media is a very important component in influencing social norms that encourage
adolescent to make responsible health behavior choices. It also provides great potential to communicate and mobilize community
support on adolescent health issues.
4. Policies and legislation: Promoting policies and legislation for adolescent health can ensure young people have the opportunities
and services they need to promote and protect their own health.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: This is to ensure the smooth implementation of the program. Regular monitoring and evaluation will
be conducted to identify the status, issues, gaps and recommendations. A scheme shall be developed which will include indicators,
monitoring tools and checklist. Monitoring will be through conduct of field visits, consultative meeting and program implementation
review.
6. Resource mobilization: The Department of Health have prepared a 10 year work plan for AYHDP. The budgetary requirements
will be sourced out from national and international donor agencies. Advocacy with LGUs, other GOs and NGOs shall be conducted on
sharing of existing resources where AYHDP will be integrated.
Promotion of Breastfeeding program / Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI)
Realizing optimal maternal and child health nutrition is the ultimate concern of the Promotion of Breastfeeding Program. Thus,
exclusive breastfeeding in the first four (4) to six (6) months after birth is encouraged as well as enforcement of legal mandates.
The Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI) is the main strategy to transform all hospitals with maternity and newborn
services into facilities which fully protect, promote and support breastfeeding and rooming-in practices. The legal mandate to this
initiative are the RA 7600 (The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992) and the Executive Order 51 of 1986 (The Milk
Code). National assistance in terms of financial support for this strategy ended year 2000, thus LGUs were advocated to promote
and sustain this initiative. To sustain this initiative, the field health personnel has to provide antenatal assistance and breastfeeding
counseling to pregnant and lactating mothers as well as to the breastfeeding support groups in the community; there should also be
continuous orientation and re-orientation/ updates to newly hired and old personnel, respectively, in support of this initiative.
Child Health and Development Strategic Plan Year 2001-2004
The Philippine National Strategic Framework for lan Development for CHildren or CHILD 21 is a strategic framework for planning
programs and interventions that promote and safegurad the rights of Filipino children. Covering the period 2000-2005, it paints in
borad strokes a vision for the quality of life of Filipino children in 2025 and a roadmap to achieve the vision.
Children's Health 2025, a subdocument of CHILD 21, realizes that health is a critical and fundamental element in children's welfare.
However, health programs cannot be implemented in isolation from the other component that determine the safety and well being of
children in society. Children's Health 2025, therefore, should be able to integrate the strategies and interventions into the overall
plan for children's development.
Children's Health 2025 contains both mid-term strategies, which is targeted towards the year 2004, while long-term strategies are
targeted by the year 2025. It utilizes a life cycle approach and weaves in the rights of children. The life cycle approach ensures that
the issues, needs and gaps are addressed at the different stages of the child's growth and development.
The period year 2002 to 2004 will put emphasis on timely diagnosis and management of common diseases of childhood as well as
disease prevention and health promotion, particularly in the fields of immunization, nutrition and the acquisisiton of health lifestyles.
Also critical for effective pallning and implementation would be addressing the components of the health infrastructure such as
human resource development, quality assurance, monitoring and disease surveillance, and health information and education.
The successful implementation of these strategies will require collaborative efforts with the other stakeholdres and also implies
integration with the other developmental plan of action for children.
VISION: A healthy Filipino child is:
* Wanted, planned and conceived by healthy parents
* Carried to term by healthy mother
* Born into a loving, caring. stable family capable of providing for his or her basic needs
* Delivered safely by a trained attendant
* Screened for congenital defects shortly after birth; if defects are found, interventions to corrrect these defects are implemented at
the appropriate time
* Exclusively breastfed for at least six months of age, and continued breasfeeding up to two years
* Introduced to compementary foods at about six months of age, and gradually to a balanced, nutritious diet
* Protected from the consequences of protein-calorie and micronutirent deficiencies through good nutrition and access to fortified
foods and iodized salt
* Provided with safe, clean and hygienic surroundings and protected from accidents
* Properly cared for at home when sick and brought timely to a health facility for appropriate management when needed.
* Offered equal access to good quality curative, preventive and promotive health care services and health education as members of
the Filipino society
* Regularly monitored for proper growth and development, and provided with adequate psychosocial and mental stimulation
* Screened for disabilities and developmental delays in early childhood; if disabilities are found, interventions are implemented to
enabled the child to enjoy a life of dignity at the highest level of function attainable
* Protected from discrimination, explitation and abuse
* Empowered and enabled to make decisions regarding healthy lifestyle and behaviors and included in the formulation health policies
and programs
* Afforded the opportunity to reach his or her full potential as adult
Current Situation: Deaths among children have significantly decreased from previous years. In the 1998 NDHS, the infant mortality
rate was 35 per 1000 livebirths, while neonatal death rate was 18 deaths per 1000 livebirths. Among regions IMR is highest in
Eastern Visayas and lowest in Metro Manila and Central Visayas. Death is much higher among infants whose mothers had no
antenatal care or medical assistance at the time of delivery. Top causes of illness among infants are infectious diseases (pneumonia,
measles, diarrhea, meningitis, septicemia), nutritional deficiencies and birth-realted complications.
The probability of dying between birth and five years of age is 48 deaths per 1000 livebirths. The top five leading causes of deaths
(which make up about 70%) of deaths in this age group) are pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, meningities and malnutrition. About 6%
die of accidents i.e. submersion, foreign bodies, and vehicular accidents.
THe decline in mortality rates may be attributed partly to the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI), aimed to reduce infant and
child mortality due to seven immunizable diseases (tuberculosis, diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelities, Hepatitis B and
measles).
The Philippines has been declared as polio-free druing the Kyoto Meeting on Poliomyelities Eradication in the Western Pacific Region
last October 2000. This. however, is not a reason to be complacent. The risk of importing the poliovirus from neighboring countries

remains high until global certification of polio eradication. There is an urrgent need for sustained vigilance, which includes
strengthening the surveillance system, the capacity for rapid response to importation of wild poliovirus, adequate laboratory
containment of wild poliovirus materials, and maintaining high routine immunization until global certification has been achieved.
Malnutrition is common among children. The 1998 FNRI survey show that three to four out of ten children 0-10 years old are
underweight and stunted. The prevalence of low vitamin A serum levels and vitamin A deficiency even increased in 1998 compared
to 1996 levels as reported by FNRI. Vitamin A supplementation coverage reached to more than 90%, however, a downward trend
was evident in the succeeding years from as high as 97% in 1993 to 78% in 1997.
Breastfeeding rate is 88% (NSO 2000 MCH Survey), with percentage higher in rural areas (92%) than in urban areas (84%).
Exclusive breastfeeding increased from 13.2% to 20% among children 4-5 mos of age (NDHS).
Several strategies were utilized to omprove child health. THe Integrated Management of Childhood Illness aims at reducing morbidity
and deaths due to common chldhood illness. The IMCI strategy has been adopted nationwide and the process of integration into the
medical, nursing, and midwifery curriculum is now underway.
The Enhanced Child Growth strategy is a community-based intervention that aims to improve the health and nutritional status of
children through improved caring and seeking behaviors. It operates through health and nutrition posts established throughout the
country.
Gaps and Challenges : Many Local Health Units were not adequately informed about the Framework for Children's Health as well as
the policies. There is a need to disseminate the two documents, CHILD 21 and Children's Health 2025 to serve as the template for
local planning for childrens health. There is also the need to update and reiterate the policies on children's health particularly on
immunization, micronutrient supplementation and IMCI.
LGUs experienced problems in the availability of vaccines and essential drugs and micronutrients due to weakness in the
procurement, allocation and distribution.
Pockets of low immunization coverage is attributed largely to the irregular supply of vaccines due to inadequate funds. Moreover,
there is a need to revitalize the promotion of immunization.
Goal: The ultimate goal of Children's Health 2025 is to achieve good health for all Filipino children by the year 2025.
Medium-term Objectives for year 2001-2004
Health Status Objectives
1. Reduce infant mortality rate to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births
2. Reduce mortality rate among children 1-4 years old to 33.6% per 1000 livebirths
3. Reduce the mortality rate among adolescents and youths by 50%
Risk Reduction Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Increse the percentage of fully immunized children to 90%

Increase the percentage of infants exclusively breastfed up to six months to 30%
Increase the percentage of infants given timely and proper complementary feeding at six months to 70%
Increase the percentage of mothers and caregivers who know and practice home management of childhood illness to 80%
Reduce the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition among school-age children
Increase the health care-seeking behavior of adolescents to 50%

Services and Protection Objectives

1.
2.
3.
4.

Ensure 90% of infants and children are provided with essential health care package
Increase the percentage of health facilities with available stocks of vaccines and esential drugs and micronutrients to 80%
Increase the percentage of schools implementing school-based health and nutrition programs to 80%
Increase the percentage of health facilities providing basic health services including counseling for adolescents and youth to 70%

Strategies and Activities

* Enhance capacity and capability of health facilities in the early recognition, management and prevention of common childhood
illness
This will entail improvements in the flow of services in the implementing faciities to ensure that every child receive the essential
services for survival, growth and development in an organized and efficient manner. Facilities should be equipped with the essential
instruments, equipment and supplies to provide the services. Health providers shall have the knowledge and skills to be able to
provide quality services for children. Existing child health policies, guidelines and standards shall be reviewed and updated, and new
ones formulated and disseminated to guide health providers in the standard of care.
* Strengthening community-based support systems and interventions for children's health
Notable community-based projects and interventions, such as the health and nutrition posts, mother support groups, community
financing schemes shall be replicated for nationwide implementation. Model building and dissemination of best practices from pilot
sites has proven effective in generating support and adoption in other sites. More of these shall be initiated particularly for
developing interventions to increase care-seeking and prevention of malnutrition in children.
* Fostering linkages with advocacy groups and professional organizations and to promote children's health
Collaboration with the nongovernment sector and professional groups shall

Conduct national campaigns on children's health

* Conduct and support national campaigns for children
* Initieate and support legislations and researches on children's health and welfare
* Development of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for child health programs and projects

Dengue Control Program

One of the major health problems during rainy season is the incidence of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. It occurs in all age groups.
This disease (transmitted by Aedes, a day-biting mosquito) is preventable but is prevalent in urban centers where population density
is high, water supply is inadequate (resulting to water storage and a good breeding place for the vector), and solid waste collection
and storing are also inadequate.
The thrust of the Dengue Control Program is directed towards community-based prevention and control in endemic areass.
Major strategy is advocacy and promotion, particularly the Four Oclock Habit which was adopted by most LGUs. This is a
nationwide, continuous and concerted effort to eliminate the breeding places of Aedes aegypti. Other initiatives are the dissemination
of IEC materials and tri-media coverage.
Four-o'clock Habit (4 oclock habit)
The Four-o'clock Habit (4 oclock habit) is an initiative of the Philippine government that requests residents to practice the
cleaning of their surroundings and draining water containers to prevent the spread of mosquitoes, in support of the Dengue Control
Program and the Malaria Control Program. This is also known as operation kayakulub (upside down).
Dental Health Program
ComprehensiveDental Health Program aims to improve the quality of life of the people through the attainment of the highest
possible oral health. Its objective is to prevent and control dental diseases and conditions like dental caries and periodontal diseases
thus reducing their prevalence.
Targeted priorities are vulnerable groups such as the 5-12 year old children and pregnant women. Strategies of the program include
social mobilization through advocacy meetings, partnership with GOs and NGOs, orientation/updates and monitoring adherence to
standards.
To attain orally fit children, the program focuses on the following package of activities: oral examination and prophylaxis; sodium
fluoride mouth rinsing; supervised tooth brushing drill; pit and fissure sealant application; a-traumatic restorative treatment and IEC.
The Program also integrates its activities with the Maternal and Child Health Program, the Nutrition Program and
theGarantisadong Pambata activities of the WHSMP.
National TB Control Program
The rising incidence of tuberculosis has economic repercussions not only for the patients family but also for the country. Eighty
percent of people afflicted with tuberculosis are in the most economically productive years of their lives, and the disease sends many
self-sustaining families into poverty. The rise in the incidence of tuberculosis has been due to the low priority accorded to antituberculosis activities by many countries. The unavailability of anti-TB drugs, insufficient laboratory networking, poor health
infrastructures, including a lack of trained health personnel, have also contributed to the rise in the incidence of the diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines ranks fourth in the world for the number of cases of tuberculosis and
has the highest number of cases per head in Southeast Asia. Almost two thirds of Filipinos have tuberculosis, and up to five million
people are infected yearly in our country.
In 1996, WHO introduced the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) to ensure completion of treatment.
The DOTS strategy depends on five elements for its success: Microscope, Medicines, Monitoring , Directly Observed Treatment, and
Political Commitment). If any of these elements are missing, our ability to consistently cure TB patients slips through our fingers.
Prevention of Blindness Program
Program Title: Visual Health
Bureau (Office): Degenerative Disease Office (DDO), National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC)
Briefer: National health program implemented by the Degenerative Disease Office with strong collaboration with NGO's (National
Committee for Sight Prevention) and other government agencies for the elimination of avoidable blindness.
Target population : Older persons / Working-age group / Adolescents and Schoolchildren
Area of Coverage: Nationwide
Mandate
1. Local Policy:

Department Order No. 73-B s., 2001 (Vision 2020 - Philippine Initiative "The Right to Sight")

Proclamation No. 40 (Declaring the month of August every year as "Sight Saving Month")

R.A. 6759 (An Act Declaring August 1 Every Year as "White Cane Safety Day" in the Philippines and for other purposes)

2. International Policy:

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness 6th General Assembly, September 5-10, 1999, Beijing, China - the
Philippines is a signatory in the Global Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: Vision 2020 - The Right to Sight.

Vision: Healthy vision for every Filipino through eye health promotion and disease prevention.

Mission : To eliminate all avoidable blindness by prevention and controlling diseases through the development of human resource,
infrastructure, and appropriate technology.
Goals : A commuinty (province) having a blindness prevalence rate of less than 1.0%.
Nutrition

Vitamin A Supplementation
Policy on Vitamin A Supplementation Program
*
*
*
*
*

The Philippine government is committed to virtually eliminate VAD

ECCD Law: DOH role is to ensure Vitamin A supplementation
Administrative Order No. 3-A, s. 2000: Guidelines of Vitamin A and Iron Supplementation
Therapeutic supplementation: all cases of VAD
Preventive supplementation:

1. Universal - children 6-59 months

2. Regular/routine - Pregnant and Lactating women, High-risk children
3. Supplementation during emergencies
Vitamin A Supplementation
Food Fortifcation
The Food Fortification program is the government's response to the growing micronutrient malnutrition, which is prevalent in the
Philippines for the past several years.
Food Fortification is the addition of Sangkap Pinoyor micronutrients such as Vitamin A, Iron and/or Iodine to food, whether or not
they are normally contained in the food, for the purpose of preventing or correcting a demonstrated deficiency with one or more
nutrients in the population or specific population groups.
Sangkap Pinoy or micronutrients are vitamins and minerals required by the body in very small quantities. These are essential in
maintaining a strong, healthy and active body; sharp mind; and for women to bear healthy children.
Nutrition surveys since 1993 have been showing increasing prevalence of micronutrient malnutrition, particularly that of Vitamin A
Deficiency Disorder (VADD) and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) among children and women of reproductive age, who are the most atrisk groups to micronutrient malnutrition.
Garantisadong Pambata
Garantisadong Pambata (GP) is a campaign to support the various health programs to reduce childhood illnesses and deaths by
promoting positive child care behaviours.
GP is a program of the Department of Health in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and other government and nongovernment organizations.
Family Planning
Brief Description of Program: A national mandated priority public health program to attain the country's national health
development: a health intervention program and an important tool for the improvement of the health and welfare of mothers,
children and other members of the family. It also provides information and services for the couples of reproductive age to plan their
family according to their beliefs and circumstances through legally and medically acceptable family planning methods.
The program is anchored on the following basic principles.
* Responsible Parenthood which means that each family has the right and duty to determine the desired number of children they
might have and when they might have them. And beyond responsible parenthood is Responsible Parenting which is the proper
ubringing and education of chidren so that they grow up to be upright, productive and civic-minded citizens.
* Respect for Life. The 1987 Constitution states that the government protects the sanctity of life. Abortion is NOT a FP method:
* Birth Spacing refers to interval between pregnancies (which is ideally 3 years). It enables women to recover their health improves
women's potential to be more productive and to realize their personal aspirations and allows more time to care for children and
spouse/husband, and;
* Informed Choice that is upholding and ensuring the rights of couples to determin the number and spacing of their children
according to their life's aspirations and reminding couples that planning size of their families have a direct bearing on the quality of
their children's and their own lives.
E. Intended Audience: Men and women of reproductive age (15-49) years old) including adolescents
F. Area of Coverage: Nationwide
G. Mandate: EO 119 and EO 102
H. Vision: Empowered men and women living healthy, productive and fulfilling lives and exercising the right to regulate their own
fertility through legally and acceptable family planning services.
I. Mission The DOH in partnership with LGUs, NGOs, the private sectors and communities ensures the availability of FP information
and services to men and women who need them.
J. Program Goals: To provide universal access to FP information, education and services whenever and wherever these are needed.
K. Objectives General: To help couples, individuals achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible parenthood
and improve their reproductive health.

Specifically, by the end of 2004:

Reduce
* MMR from 172 deaths 100,000 LB in 1998 to less than 100 deaths/100,000 LB
* IMR from 35.3 deaths/1000 livebirths in 1998 to less than 30 deaths/1000 live births
* TFR from 3.7 children per woman in 1998 to 2.7 chidren per woman
Increase:
* Contraceptive Prevalence Rate from 45.6% in 1998 to 57%
* Proportion of modern FP methods use from 28>2% to 50.5%
L. Key Result Areas
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Policy, guidelines and plans formulation

Standard setting
Technical assistance to CHDs/LGUs and other partner agencies
Advocacy, social mobilization
Information, education and counselling
Capability building for trainers of CHDs/LGUs
Logistics management
Monitoring and evaluation
Research and development

M. Strategies
I. Frontline participation of DOH-retained hospitals
II. Family Planning for the urban and rural poor
III. Demand Generation through Community-Based Management Information System
IV. Mainstreaming Natural Family Planning in the public and NGO health facilities
V. Strengthening FP in the regions with high unmet need for FP: CAR, CHD 5, 8, NCR, ARMM
VI. Contraceptive Interdependence Initiative
N. Major Activities
I. Frontline participation of DOH-retained hospitals
* Establishment of FP Itinerant team by each hospital to respond to the unmet needs for permanent FP methods and to bring the FP
services nearer to our urban and rural poor communities
* FP services as part of medical and surgical missions of the hospital
* Provide budget to support operations of the itenerant teams inclduing the drugs and medical supplies needed for voluntary surgical
sterilization (VS) services
* Partnership with LGU hospitals which serve as the VS site
II. Family Planning for the urban and rural poor
* Expanded role of Volunteer Health Workers (VHWs) in FP provision
* Partnership of itenerant team and LGU hospitals
* Provision of FP services
III. Demand Generation through Community-Based Management Information System
* Identification and masterlisting of potential FP clients and users in need of PF services (permanent or temporary methods)
* Segmentation of potential clients and users as to what method is preferred or used by clients
IV. Mainstreaming Natural Family Planning in the public and NGO health facilities
*
*
*
*
*
*

Orientation of CHD staff and creation of Regional NFP Management Committee

Diacon with stakeholders
Information, Education and counseling activities
Advocacy and social mobilization efforts
Production of NFP IEC materials
Monitoring and evaluation activities

V. Strengthening FP in the regions with high unmet need for FP: CAR, CHD 5, 8, NCR, ARMM
* Field of itinerant teams by retained hospitals to provide VS services nearer to the community
* Installation of COmmunity Based Management Information System
* Provision of augmentation funds for CBMIS activities
VI. Contraceptive Interdependence Initiative
*
*
*
*

Expansion of PhilHealth coverage to include health centers providing No Scalpel Vasectomy and FP Itenerant Teams
Expansion of Philhealth benefit package to include pills, injectables and IUD
SOcial Marketing of contraceptives and FP services by the partner NGOs
National Funding/Subsidy

VIII. Development /Updating of FP CLinical Standards

IX. Formulation of FP related policies/guidelines. E.g. Creation of VS Outreach team by retained hospitals and its operationalization,
GUidelines on the Provision of VS services, etc.
X. Production and reproduction of FP advocacy and IEC materials
XI. Provision of logistics support such as FP commodities and VS drugs and medical supplies
O. Other Partners
1. Funding Agencies
*
*
*
*
*

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA)
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Engender Health
The Futures Group

2. NGOs
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Reachout foundation
DKT
Philippine Federation for Natual Family Planning (PFNFP)
John Snow Inc. - Well Family Clinic
Phlippine Legislators Committee on Population Development (PLPCD)
Remedios Foundation
Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)
Institute of Maternal and CHild HEalth (IMCH)
Integrated Maternal and CHild Care Services and Development, Inc.
Friendly Care Foundation, Inc.
Institute of Reproductive Health

3. Other GOs
*
*
*
*

Commission on Population
DILG
DOLE
LGUs

National Mental Health Program

Program/Project: The National Mental Health Program (NMHP) now, under the Degenerative Disease Office of the
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC), Department of Health. It aims at integrating mental health
within the total health system, initially within the DOH system, and the local health system. Within the DOH, it has initiated and
sustained the integration process within the hospital and public health systems, both at the central and regional level. Furthermore,
it aims at ensuring equity in the availability, accessibility, appropriateness and affordability of mental health and psychiatric services
in the country.
Brief Situationer: Mental health is an integral component of total health. Issues on mental health includes not only the traditional
mental disorders but as important are the concerns of target populations vulnerable to psychosocial risks brought about by extreme
life experiences (e.g. disasters, near death experiences, heinous and violent crimes, internal displacement brought about by religious
and civil unrest) as well as the psychosocial concerns of daily living (e.g. maintaining a sense of well being in these difficult times).
Services for mental health must be available within the public health as well as the hospital system of the country. Such services
must have promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative component.
Vision: Full integration of Mental Health in the national system
Mission: To make available, accessible, affordable and equitable quality mental health care/services to the Filipinos especially the
poor, the underserved and high risk populations.
Mandate: To provide the Department of Health with necessary services related to planning, programmming and project
development in mental health.
Functions
1.

Advisory body to the Secretary of Health regarding mental health concerns.

2.

Acts as a policy making body regarding mental health concerns

3.

Involves itself in training, research, supervision and, monitoring of mental health resources/programs services.

4.

Mobilizes mental health resources for advocacy, planning, implementation and service delivery.

Guiding Principles

Mental health is not only limited to traditional mental illnesses but also includes the psychosocial concomitants of daily
living.

Mental health programs must recognize the importance of community efforts with multisectoral and multidisciplinary
involvement.

Mental health programs must address the promotive,preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care.

Psychiatric patient care extends beyond the mental hospitals, and must be made available in general hospitals, health
centers and homes.

Mental health activities and interventions must be done closest to where the need or the patient is.

Strategies

National diffusion and democratization of capabilities of mental health facilities.

Intensification and strengthening the training in psychiatry and mental health.

Peripheral development

Development of clinical policies

Institution building

Focus on research

Advocacy

Networking

Priority Areas of Concern

Substance abuse

Disaster and crisis management

Women and children and other vulnerable groups

Traditional mental illnesses (schizophrenia, depression and anxiety)

Epilepsy and other neurological disorders

Overseas Filipino workers

National Filariasis Elimination Program

Brief Description of Program: Filariasis is a major parasitic infection, which continues to be a public health problem in the
Philippines. It is the second leading cause of permanent and long-term disability. A control program was created in 1963 and was
placed under the Communical Disease Control Service in 1987 under E.O. 119. It is one of the vertical programs of the Department
of Health , which is being implemented through the Filariasis COntrol Units in Region 5, 8 and 11. In other endemic areas without
Filariasis Control Units, the program is implemented by the designated personnel from the Center for Health Development. It was
only in 1996, that the program was given a separate budget. It objective is to eliminate filariasis, in line with the World Health
Organization call for global elimination of filariasis as a public health problem. Preparatory activities on elimination started in 1998
such as determining the real magnitude of the problem through Endemic Mapping, field testing of the new rapid assessment
diagnostic method, the Immunochromatographic test for filariasis, pilot testing of the new treatmetn strategy using Mass Annual
Treatment with combination drugs, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Albendazole and creation of the National Advisory Group for
Filariasis. THe Mass Annual Treatment of all established endemic municipalities started in 2000 and is ongoing. The Mass Treatment
scheme is integrated with otehr programs such as the Soil Transmitted Helmenthiasis and the Schistosomiasis Control Programs.
Target Population/Clients: Individuals, families and communities living in endemic municipalities in 13 regions except Region 2, 6
and NCR.
Area of Coverage: Forty-eight (48 provinces in regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, CARAGA, ARMM and CAR.
Mandate: A.O. No. 25-A
Program Vision: Healthy and productive individuals and families
Mission: Universal access to quality health services
Program Objectives: General Objective: To reduce the Prevalence Rate to <1/1,000 population
Specific Objective:
1. To establish the endemicity of municipalities at the end of two years.
2. To perform Mass Treatment in established endemic municipalities for at least four years.

3. To continue surveillance of established endemic areas five years after Mass treatment.
Key Result Areas (KRAs)
1. Institution of Rapid assessment in the diagnosis of filariasis
2. Mapping of endemic municipalities
3. Prevention, control and elimination of filariasis using the Mass Annual Treatment scheme with Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and
Albendazole in all established endemic municipalities
4. Integration with other parasitic control programs
5. Build-up the capabilities of the field healthworkers in the implementation of the Filariasis Elimination Program
6. Improved efficiency of the National Filariasis Elimination Program
M. PROGRAM STRATEGIES
1. Mapping of endemic areas using Rapid Assessment Methods
2. Advocacy and Capability building through training and establishment of Family Support System
3. Mass Treatment using Diethylcarbamizine Citrate and Albendazole
4. Support Control strategies which includes Morbidiy and vector control
5. Monitoring of process indicators

N. PROGRAM COMPONENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Mapping of Endemic areas

Capability building
Mass Treatment
Integration with other parasitic control programs
Support Control Strategies
Monitoring and Supervision
Evaluation
National Certification of Elimination
International Certification of Elimination

O. MAJOR ACTIVITIES
1. Endemic Mapping
2. Mass Treatment
3. Integration with other parasitic control programs
P. Collaborating Centers
1. Collaborating Center for Helminthiasis in CHD 8
Q. Other Partners
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Endemic LGUs
Academes (UST & UP-CPH)
OTher GOs (UP-NIH and RITM)
WHO
NGOs (Christian Mobile Medical Service and Teknotropheo, Inc)

Ligtas Tigdas
Ligtas Tigdas 2004 is a special nationwide vaccination month for children who are at high risk of getting measles.
ThezDepartment of Health identified these children to be those between the ages of 9 months to less than 8 years old.
During the Ligtas Tigdas 2004, 100% of the children in this age group will be vaccinated. Other children are not classified as high
risk.
The Philippine Measles Elimination Campaign of which the Ligtas Tigdas 2004 is only one component. PMEC includes continuing
routine vaccination of infants at 9 months old after Ligtas Tigdas 2004; the catch-up mass vaccination done in 1998; continuing
monitoring or disease surveillance and Follow-up campaign such as Ligtas Tigdas 2004 which may have to be repeated every 4 or 5
years.Vitamin A capsules will also be given to children 9 months to below 6 years of age.
The LIGTAS TIGDAS should be done to rapidly reduce the number of children at risk of getting measles infection which has
accumulated in the past years. This nationwide campaign supports the routine vaccination given on a regular basis at the health
centers.
It is a Door-to-Door campaign. BakunaDOORS (Vaccination Teams) led by doctors, nurses and midwives will visit every home and
school to vaccinate children against measles which will be done in the whole month of February 2004

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Leprosy Control Program

Leprosy Control Program envisions to eliminate Leprosy as a human disease by 2020 and is committed to eliminate leprosy as a
public health problem by attaining a national prevalence rate (PR) of less than 1 per 10,000 population by year 2000. Its elimination
goals are: reduce the national PR of <1 case per 10,000 population by year 1998 and reduce the sub-national PR to <1 case per
10,000 population by year 2000. Kilatis Kutis Campaign.
Program thrust is towards finding hidden cases of leprosy and put them on Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), emphasizing the completion of
treatment within the WHO prescribed duration.
Strategies are case-finding, treatment, advocacy, rehabilitation, manpower development and evaluation.

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