DOH VOWS TO WORK WITH DEPED TO  INTENSIFY HEALTH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS 

 

The Department of Health (DOH) respects the decision of the Department of Education (DepEd) to develop and disseminate an age-appropriate reproductive health education in schools which will raise awareness on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as well as other sexually-transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies among the youth. 

“A strengthened curriculum which focuses on reproductive health education is an essential component of the DOH’s comprehensive prevention and control program focusing on delaying sexual debut, condom use, early HIV testing, counseling, antiretroviral treatment and ending stigmatization and discrimination, and acceptance by families and communities to Filipinos living with HIV,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial explained.

DOH will work with other partners to ensure information is linked to service provision, including but not limited to condom access.

The health chief added that HIV transmission can only be diminished through a collective societal effort, focusing on widespread HIV awareness among the youth and key populations at risk, establishing testing and treatment service delivery networks (SDNs) nationwide and ending stigmatization and discrimination in workplaces. We need to foster real collaboration with other government agencies such as the Department of Education and local government units (LGUs), as well as community-based organizations in order to reach the young key population with correct information on HIV and its consequences and how to stop its transmission and spread.

“The DOH will work with all partners, including the church and faith-based organizations to ensure information and awareness-raising is linked to service provision including but not limited to condom access,” Secretary Ubial concluded. (www.doh.ph)