Celebrating Family Planning Month: Empowering Choices and Healthier Futures.
In the Philippines, the month of August is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the importance of family planning. Family Planning Month provides a crucial platform for engaging communities and fostering conversations about reproductive health, gender equality, and responsible parenthood. This annual observance aims to empower people with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about family planning, resulting in healthier families and a brighter future for the nation.
The Philippines is a country with significant challenges surrounding reproductive health and family planning. Family Planning Month aims to educate the 68 million adults about the services available to ensure that individuals can plan their families according to their desires and needs. One of the key pillars of Family Planning Month is the sharing of information about various contraceptive methods. Importantly, the campaign also promotes the inclusion of men in family planning discussions, recognising their vital role in decision-making and fostering a more supportive and equitable environment.
Filipino healthcare providers and organisations play a central role during this month by conducting awareness programs, educational workshops, and distributing informational materials. By addressing myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning, these initiatives aim to break down barriers and reduce stigma, enabling more individuals to seek reproductive healthcare without hesitation.
The month also focuses on highlighting the significance of maternal and child health. Access to family planning services not only empowers women with the ability to plan pregnancies but also contributes to reducing maternal mortality rates (currently 189 per 100,000 live births) and improving child health outcomes. It ensures that pregnancies occur at the right time and spacing, reducing the risk of complications and improving the overall health of mothers and children.
Despite the progress made in the Philippines in recent years, challenges do persist, particularly in reaching marginalised and remote communities with limited access to healthcare services. Family Planning Month seeks to bridge these gaps by advocating for policy changes and increased funding to strengthen reproductive health services and make them available to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
From a genetic perspective, family planning also includes educating yourself about the different things that can occur during pregnancy, which can impact on your family. So, what are some things that everyday people can do to ensure that their journey into parenthood is as smooth as possible? EasyDNA Philippines has a range of prenatal tests that serve to provide peace of mind to expectant parents. These include:
Prenatal Peace – Starting from 8 weeks pregnant and using only a maternal blood sample, this test detects a number of genetic conditions, including Down syndrome, Edward’s syndrome, and can provide more accurate results compared to traditional screening methods.
Newborn Genetic Test with NOVA – Complete and comprehensive, NOVA is a newborn screening test that determines a baby’s risk for 50 inherited disorders, as well as providing personalised genetic information on the metabolism of 20 drugs.
Additionally, EasyDNA Philippines offers a suite of paternity tests that can help to solve any paternity doubts you might be having about the true, biological father of an unborn baby or child. These tests will provide peace of mind for people as well as determining the correct parentage.
So, for existing families and those planning on starting one, Family Planning Month serves as a vital platform to promote the significance of family planning, reproductive health, and gender equality. By fostering awareness, providing information, and engaging communities, this annual campaign empowers individuals to make informed choices about family planning, leading to healthier families and a more prosperous nation. Every Filipino has the right to plan their families and secure a brighter future for themselves and their children!
