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Information About Contraceptive Self-Reliance
In 1999, the Philippine government produced a draft of the Contraceptive Independence Initiative
(CII) to launch the country’s bid to be more self-reliant in securing its own contraceptive supply. This was spearheaded by Dr. Albert Romualdez, the former Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). A
multi-sectoral task force was convened by POPCOM that led to the issuance of a National Family Planning Program Policy in September 2001 signed by the DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit. This policy categorically states
that the Philippine Government will now assume greater responsibility for the FP program in the Philippines. In response to this development, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated
the program for the phase-down of its contraceptive assistance to the Philippines.
What is the history behind the country’s supply of contraceptives?
- The USAID has been providing 80% of the country’s contraceptive supplies -- pills,
condoms, IUDs and injectables, amounting to $3 million yearly. With the contraceptive phase-down already in effect amid a booming population and increasing poverty, achieving self-reliance at a faster rate is
vital. The continuing support of USAID shall now be focused on the country’s poorest and the neediest coming from the socio-economic brackets D and E. Several studies already show that many contraceptive users
are actually willing to pay for their supplies, that is, 4.6 million women who use contraceptives, 3.22 million come from middle and high income classes who can afford and are willing to pay for their supplies.
Thus, USAID assistance is increased to projects that aim to strengthen the private sector alternative source of FP services and supplies catering to the C and D groups. This way, the government’s limited
financial and human resources will be focused on the neediest.
When shall the phase-down happen?
- The phase-down schedule began in March 2003 with the last shipment of condoms to the
country. Phase-down of pills began in 2004 and will be completely phased out by 2007. Injectables began its phase-down in 2005 and will be completely phased out by 2008. IUDs is planned for a later date because
of the lack of availability of other brands and sources of the coutry. Projections show that stock-out will occur 6 months after the last shipment of these supplies.
Who will immediately feel the crunch?
- The most vulnerable to the contraceptive phase-down are the 4.6 million womenof reproductive
age who use modern method of contraception. The public sector supply 72% of these women’s contraceptive supplies. Another 2.3 million women who are currently not using modern methods but reported intent to use
are also vulnerable to the contraceptive phase-down.
DOH Administrative Order 158 “Contraceptive Self-Reliance Strategy”
- The CSR strategy is a set of measures to assure that supplies for FP services will continue
to be provided for increasing numbers of current and potential users to eventually eliminate unmet needs for FP.
- CSR encourages response of key sectors along 3 broad directions:
- assure no disruption in contraceptive supplies to current users during the phase-out of
external donations,particularly among the poorest users.
- develop complementary means of financing contraceptives through a variety of options
such as Philhealth, employer benefits, out-of-pocket financing, etc.
- expand complementary private sources of contraceptive supplies through such options as
self-help community-based distribution, NGO outlets, private and commercial providers, and workplace-based outlets.
Role of Local Government Units under the Contraceptive Phase-down
- Develop contraceptive distribution guidelines to cover their catchment cities,
municipalities and devolved health facilities
- Conduct campaigns to inform their catchment areas of the LGU’s contraceptive distribution
guidelines
- Provide resources for the delivery of contraceptives to their catchment areas.
- Undertake measures to guarantee local availability of contraceptives through
- budget allocation for the procurement of contraceptives for free distribution
- make available contraceptives for sale at cost recovery basis or at margins above cost
- allow consigned supplies from social marketing sources or commercial sources to be made
available to clients in LGU outlets
COMMODITY SELF-RELIANCE PLUS INITIATIVES IN REGION 7>>>
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