In a groundbreaking initiative, DKT Philippines Foundation Launched the country's first operational family planning (FP) outpatient clinic. SODEX Mobile Clinic is funded by TRUST Reproductive Health Choices and aims to provide Filipinos with safe and quality FP products and services. As it travels across Luzon, it will serve up to 3,000 beneficiaries seeking permanent contraceptive methods and another 3,570 who choose temporary contraceptive methods. This innovative approach promises to enhance access to reproductive care and empower families to make informed choices.
Why is it needed?
- Hospitals in the Philippines are often overcrowded, and the bed-to-population ratio is 1:1,000, which is far lower than normal. World Health Organization (WHO) The recommended standard is 3:1000.
- this National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) Revealed in 2022 49% of women of childbearing age No longer wanting to have children, underlining the urgent need for available modern family planning methods.
What are the offers?
- Provided by Sodexo Mobile Clinic Free modern family planning products and outpatient services tailored to the specific needs of each Filipino.
- For those seeking to space and limit pregnancies, the clinic provides free family planning commodities such as pills, condoms, injections and IUDs after consultation.
- Customers who are satisfied with their current household size can take advantage of Bilateral fallopian tube ligation or non-surgical vasectomyboth performed using local anesthesia.
Customer-centric approach:
- All clients undergo thorough screening and counseling to ensure they are free to choose their preferred contraceptive method.
- A sound follow-up mechanism is in place. Clients are accredited for post-operative follow-up with LGU’s partner healthcare providers.
- DKT Philippines Foundation Program Director Loida Almendares emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication with midwives and volunteers to resolve any post-operative issues.
Meet the team:
- SODEX mobile clinic is part of a comprehensive clinic sodexo projectsupervised by the DKT Philippines Foundation’s designated project manager.
- The clinic is staffed by a team of experts trained in family planning procedures, basic life support and health emergency management.
- Dr. Luis Garcia, Jr., an experienced voluntary surgical contraception specialist, leads the team, supported by three nurses, a midwife and a driver.
Partnerships with local government agencies
DKT Philippines Foundation collaborates with selected local government units (LGUs) to organize the SODEX Program Partner Family Planning Network, in compliance with the mandate of the Universal Health Act.
The Family Planning Network of SODEX Program Partners promotes collaboration across sectors to jointly develop and implement mechanisms to improve the health of women, children and families, and meaningfully engages and contributes to governments achieving universal health coverage for reproductive health through the provision of services Efforts: to continue to provide high-quality family planning education, services, commodities, funds and policy support.
The role of LGUs is to mobilize local health and population networks/structures to identify individuals and couples in need of family planning services. Partner LGUs will lead coordination with community hospitals (either as referral or receiving facilities).
At a time when family planning service delivery faces serious challenges due to availability, geographic accessibility or acceptability of services, DKT Philippines Foundation’s SODEX program is laying the foundation to empower Filipinos with reproductive health choices.
