HEALTH authorities are urging the couples to practice responsible parenthood and family planning as community quarantine is being implemented across the country.
Melody, not her real name, 25, married, and resident of Davao City, is worried of unplanned pregnancy during the implementation of community quarantine, especially that pharmacies are experiencing lower supplies of contraceptive pills.
Melody has a one-year-old son and they are not yet planning with her husband to have another baby soon due to financial difficulty.
She had just completed her one-month pack of pills. Melody was just glad that she was still able to secure another pack for the next month amid uncertainties.
"I just want to prevent an unexpected pregnancy given the situation now," she said.
Population Commission (Popcom) said while the community quarantine gives more time for families to get together, it is also aware that unplanned pregnancies will likely happen.
Popcom wants to prevent another burden on the shoulder of health workers and the “already strained medical institutions” due to the rapid increase of infected patients.
Thus, Popcom advocates for the provision of basic family planning services in local communities as part of the essential services needed by couples and individuals to prevent the longer impact of unintended pregnancies.
“We, therefore, call on couples and individuals to keep in mind family planning as they try to maintain their overall health and well-being inside their respective homes during these trying times,” Popcom said in a statement.
Popcom has noted that based on historical trends, unintentional pregnancies occur during natural calamities “when couples and individuals cohabitate for longer periods.”
The commission has strengthened its awareness campaign, especially on social media to reach out to the Filipino couple. It also encourages local government units to tap barangay population volunteers to help educate communities on Covid-19 and provide family planning supplies like pills and condoms that is good for three months.
On the other hand, the Davao City Health Office (CHO) told SunStar Davao yesterday that the basic health services in every barangay are still available.
The couple may visit their respective barangay health centers to ask for birth control methods such as contraceptive pills, condoms, among others to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
They are reminded to strictly observe social distancing and wear masks when going outside their residences.