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MANILA Philippines — The Philippines has received nearly P3.7 million ($66,500) in technical assistance and funding from the United States (US) government to develop digital platforms for family planning.
According to the US Embassy, four developers received support from Villgro Philippines and Duke University Global Health Innovation to help prepare their respective applications for market release.
The four developers are as followers:
- CareGo EMR, which developed an SMS communication system to notify the public about free and available family planning, reproductive, and maternal health services
- Edukasyon.ph, which developed a one-stop shop called “Turn You On 2.0” for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education for Filipino Gen Z youth
- FriendlyCare Foundation, which developed an app called “E-Plano” which provides easy access to family planning methods through digital booking, education, and consultation
- Yaka.ph, which is a digital baby book and online community for mothers and families seeking more information on pregnancy and postpartum family planning
‘’We are happy to see the innovation ecosystem in the Philippines starting to engage in family planning and adolescent reproductive health issues,” said US Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Director Michelle Lang-Alli said in a statement on Tuesday.
“USAID is committed to helping countries meet the family planning and reproductive health needs of their people,’’ she added.
The US Embassy said the four developers received six months of “intensive support” that prepared their respective applications for market release.
Following the formal launch of said platforms, local government units and health agencies can use the applications to promote family planning services.
‘’We are talking about 60 percent of 110 million Filipinos who cannot pay for services on their own, so we have to find ways to work on that,’’ said Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Dr. Beverly Ho said in the same statement.
“This is why it is important for us to come together and build connections so that we can know who is doing what and support each other,’’ she added.
The digital platforms are part of the ReachHealth program of USAID. They are concurrently aligned with the priorities of the DOH, the Commission on Population and Development, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in affording Filipinos with cheap, accessible, and reliable family planning services. —Vance Chan, trainee