Int’l body lauds family planning group in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY – An international organization involved in Reproductive Health and Planned Parenthood has hailed the efforts of the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Iloilo chapter as an effective partnership with the local government and the citizenry for health development and wellness.

Alejandra Trossero, director of the Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Programmes of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (IPPF)-ESEAOR) based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, wrote in to extend the IPPF congratulations on the efforts of FPOP local chapter in bringing a health clinic to serve the underserved women of reproductive age living in thickly populated and contiguous seven coastal villages in this city.

Trossero informed Gessen Rocas, acting executive director of the FPOP national office, of IPPF-ESEAOR’s appreciation in implementing expanded maternity services to the people of Iloilo City.

The opening of the FPOP clinic and expanded services in Iloilo City was featured in the global IPPF News. It put the city in international attention as an effective implementer of health services with the help of the private sector.

Trossero reiterated direct financial support to the Iloilo chapter from SIDA and Choices Fund and technical support on post-abortion care and harm reduction.

The international organization is also looking forward in developing a funding proposal for a project focusing young people.

The FPOP lying-in clinic was inaugurated last August 30, 2012 and is located at the Sacred Heart building at corner Jalandoni and Rizal streets right in the middle of the thickly populated serviced barangays with mostly informal settlers and squatters.

The clinic is expected to augment health services of the City Government in congested barangays of Rizal Pala-pala Zone I, Rizal Pala-pala Zone 2, Bonifacio Tanza, Rizal Estanzuela, Flores, and Kahirupan.

The services include random blood sugar count, urinalysis, papsmear, prenatal package, ultrasound, and child delivery.

Other services are lectures and demo-training on baby minding, lectures on HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, family planning and responsible parenthood, teen-age pregnancy and health and body wellness.

The local chapter also conducted medical missions in the barangays by bringing in message on family planning and responsible parenthood on top of free health consultations and medicines.