Continuing reproductive health strategies of Zamboanga del Sur during COVID

Zamboanga del Sur's provincial health system ensures the proper implementation of family planning (FP) program, adolescent and youth-friendly health services (AYFHS), maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) program even before the global crises. Here are some of the success stories of its local government units through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

1. Reproductive health care during lockdowns

During the 14-month pandemic, FP program, AYFHS, and MNCHN program did not stop. Zamboanga del Sur saw the importance of these programs and services as determinants of development, considering the socioeconomic backgrounds of local communities.

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2. Safe and inclusive LGU implementation strategies

Local residents were afraid of contracting the virus from health facilities. Strategies of LGU to continue the program and services include:

• Short-acting commodities like pills and condoms in rural health units (RHUs) and health centers (HCs)
• Inclusion on ayuda or package of assistance from local government units (LGUs) to the users' households
• Utilizing military checkpoints as FP re-supply areas
• Asking barangay (village) health workers to deliver these FP supplies to the users

3. Investing on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

As LGU works together with the private sector, such as USAID’s ReachHealth, several interventions have been improved for the local residents like:

• Building the FP capacity of health providers (HPs) from public and private health facilities
• Conducting FP outreach activities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs),
• Establishing AYFHS in rural health units (RHUs) and a city health center (HC)
• Providing FP services in a workplace.

Learn more about the health innovative strategies and experiences in family planning programs and services of Zamboanga del Sur here

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