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Channeling Reproductive Health Services
Reproductive health security has been defined as having a secure supply and choice of quality contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities to meet every person’s needs at the right time and at the right place.
Reproductive health commodities are just as important to sexual and reproductive health as vaccines are to child survival. Yet, these services and supplies remain out of reach for too many people.
Without access to contraceptives, women find themselves with children too soon, or with more children than they desire. Without access to condoms, women and men are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections.
In line with this, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines together with Mayor’s Development Center and the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA), hold a three day workshop on Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) and Health Supplies Management Software (CHANNEL) last 23 -24 March 2010 at El Cielito Hotel, Makati City.
The workshop was attended by various provincial and municipal officers nationwide. The CHANNEL software will ensure the proper distribution of the commodities being distributed throughout the Public Distribution Channel. It will ensure that the supplies will reach the pilot municipalities by the help of Provincial Health Offices (PHO), Municipal Health Office (MHO).
Investments in reproductive health are crucial for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – to reduce poverty, improve maternal and child health, curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, promote gender equality, and ensure sustainable development.
The Philippine government has been overly dependent on donated commodities for its Family Planning Program, such that through the years, it has to allocate the needed resources to meet the rising demand for Family Planning.
Globally, UNFPA takes a central role in reproductive health commodity security, coordinating the process, forecasting needs, mobilizing support and building logistical management capacity at the national and sub-national levels.
For the Municipalities, the LMP National Secretariat through the Mayor’s Development Center will assume overall responsibility in planning, implementation and monitoring of all project interventions.
Reproductive health security has been defined as having a secure supply and choice of quality contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities to meet every person’s needs at the right time and at the right place.
Reproductive health commodities are just as important to sexual and reproductive health as vaccines are to child survival. Yet, these services and supplies remain out of reach for too many people.
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