Cotabato Province takes pride for the national recognitionof its two rural health units (RHU) among the 35 health facilities nationwide who excelled in the establishment of a health center especially designed to cater the needs of adolescents.
RHU Mlang and RHU Pres. Roxas through their local officials and health officers received the 2019 National Recognition as Best Performing Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility (AFHF) and passed the National Validation as Level III AFHF for the year 2018 at the Blue Leaf, Paranaque, Metro Manila last month.Each were awarded with plaques of recognition, facility insignia and P100,000.00 cash incentive.
The said RHUs are among the four AFHF in Region 12 who are now AFHF Level III Certified by the Department of Health National Office which include Kiamba and Esperanza of Saranggani and Sultan Kudarat provinces respectively.
It was noted that in the recent years, adolescents were confronted with issues on early pregnancy, substance use disorders, mental illness, violence, and even sexually transmitted infections (HIV/AIDS). The establishment of AFHF was initiated by the Department of Health to address these concerns.
According to Health Education Promotion Officer and Adolescent Health Provincial Coordinator Mr. Benjamin Obrero, the AFHF of Mlang and Pres. Roxas have passed the national standards in ensuring that adolescents are enjoying their right to health and safety. He also added that these facilities have trained health workers and peer educators sensitive of not only the physical but as well as the emotional and psychosocial needs of teenagers. Counselling is also among the services given in the facility.
As of this writing, other municipalities in the province with established adolescent-friendly health facility are Carmen and Aleosan with Level I certification and Makilala, Kidapawan City, Magpet, Midsayap, and Pigcawayan with Level II. The provincial government through the Integrated Provincial Health Office is providing technical assistance and training logistics to the LGUs in support to the adolescent health and development program of the national government./lqg//photo credit RHU-Mlang Maida Francisco//
