13
Oct 2020
Reproductive Health in Disasters
A disaster can make people forget about existing problems, but it doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, a disaster is more likely to worsen existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. In celebration of International Day for Disaster Reduction, Roots of Health takes a stand for reproductive health services. Birth control, prenatal care, and HIV testing and treatment remain essential as we build disaster-resilient communities, and especially more so in immediate disaster response.
Almost 200,000 Filipino teenage girls get pregnant every year. Here’s why that’s a problem. by Alicia di Giovanni | Photo: Isabel Corthier When 16-year-old Tina’s* water broke, it was the last thing the ninth grader expected to happen in her high school campus, just a few miles away from the city center. She had thought that she was only seven months pregnant. Because she’d never had an ultrasound, she had
Women and girls in Palawan are once again welcome to visit our clinic for free reproductive health services. Quarantine restrictions have eased up, and essential health facilities are now allowed to reopen. But we’re not letting our guards down. From the moment each of our clients show up at our door until they leave, we apply best practices to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Each client needs to schedule an appointment
Joy* wanted to meet up in a hidden alley, a few blocks away from her home. Strangers passing by might wonder what sneaky business she’s up to, as a needle pokes into her arm and she breathes a sigh of relief. But she isn’t doing anything illegal—she’s just getting a birth control shot. Like Joy, many Filipina women and girls have to hide the fact that they use contraceptives. Their
Because of strict COVID-19 lockdown rules, women can’t even visit a health facility or pharmacy two blocks away to get birth control. Meanwhile, contraceptive supplies are dwindling in health facilities due to supply chain disruptions. This could lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies. An unplanned pregnancy disrupts a woman’s life in so many ways—even more so during a pandemic of this magnitude. With little to no opportunities to work,
05
Oct 2010
Bright Lights, Big City
Ugat ng Kalusugan Program Associate Manager, Lyn-Lyn recently attended the Women Deliver Conference, the MDG awards ceremony and still found time to meet with some influential people. All on her first trip to Manila.
14
Sep 2010
“And Then, Something Happened…”
Students at Palawan Sate University seem to get pregnant with alarming regularity. Susan examines the possible causes for this and what Roots of Health is doing to help.
Roots of Health weighs in on the Reproductive Health debate that is raging in the Philippines.
Susan Evangelista describes the modifications that have been made to the Child and Maternal Health Programs in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
21
Jul 2010
Lucky in Life
Roots of Health nurse Josylyn Gulane recounts some of her experiences at Pulang Lupa during her first two months.
