THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it will respect the decision of the Department of Education (DepEd) not to partner with them in making condoms more accessible to the youth as part of the government’s campaign versus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
In a statement, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial assured that they will not take it against the DepEd in deciding not to partner with them.
“We respect their position. As we have said before, there is no coercion here,” said Ubial.
She said they even welcome the DepEd’s decision to instead engage in other methods to combat the HIV spread, aside from condom distribution.
“The DOH totally supports DepEd's stance to develop and roll-out age-appropriate reproductive health education in public schools at the same time raising HIV awareness among at risk and vulnerable population, now increasingly affecting the youth. This is an essential component of the DOH's HIV comprehensive prevention and control program,” said Ubial.
On Monday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones officially rejected the proposal of the DOH to distribute condoms to senior high school students in public schools nationwide.
The DOH was originally looking at partnering with the DepEd in its “business unusual” approach versus the surge in HIV cases among the youth.
In turn, the Health chief said they are now considering other ways to distribute condoms to the Filipino youth.
“The recommendation to involve schools to provide services to improve condom access is not anymore a primary consideration after the DOH and the DepEd agreed to take a different path,” said Ubial.
“The DOH will work with other partners to ensure information is linked to service provision including but not limited to condom access,” she added.
She said they are now discussing with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and other related sectors over the possibility of peer distribution of condoms.
In the meantime, Ubial said they will enhance their condom accessibility campaign in health centers as part of regular health services. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)