The Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) is looking to improve its quality and coverage for its reproductive health programs this year with new plans to bolster access for the city’s residents.
According to CHSO head Dr. Celia Brillantes, the city is working on a plan to set schedules for the assessment, testing, and provision of preventive care services or prophylaxis to individuals who are unable to visit the city’s public health centers during their office hours.
As part of the need for better accessibility to services, the city’s reproductive health team is considering the possibility of using the former COVID-19 triage area at the Baguio Convention Center for drive-through reproductive health services for discretion.
Brillantes says that to this day, there are individuals who want or need to undergo testing, assessment or prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who do not do so either due to availability, or the desire to remain hidden from scrutiny.
Once the additional site is established, the CHSO also plans to provide additional services for maternal and neonatal health, family planning counseling, adolescent sexual and reproductive health guidance, and assistance for gender-based violence.
HSO data shows that these services are being provided to individuals as early as 10 years of age, due largely to the fact that there are girls who get pregnant at an early age.
