DOH gives up plan to distribute condoms in schools

The distribution of condoms in high schools will no longer be pursued after the Department of Education and the Department of Health agreed to take different directions on ensuring reproductive health.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial has said the distribution of condoms in high schools was no longer a priority.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday announced that the DepEd would not support the DOH initiative on the distribution of condoms.

"The DOH respects the decision of the DepEd to develop and disseminate an age-appropriate reproductive health education in schools which will raise awareness on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among the youth," Ubial said in a statement.

Ubial said "the provision of services in schools to improve condom access is not a primary consideration anymore after DOH and DepEd agreed to take different options that shall complement each other’s respective mandates."

"The DepEd will focus on the strengthened development of its curriculum especially on reproductive health whereas the DOH will work with other partners to ensure information is linked to service provision including but not limited to condom access," Ubial said.

The proposed distribution of condoms in schools was a DOH response to the alarming incidence of HIV and AIDS among the youth.

“We can stop HIV transmission only through a collective societal effort, focusing on widespread HIV awareness among the youth and vulnerable populations, establishing test and treat service delivery networks nationwide and ending stigmatization and discrimination in workplaces," Ubial said.

"We need to foster real collaboration with other government agencies such as the Department of Education, as well as community-based organizations in order to reach the young key population with correct information on HIV and its consequences and how to stop its transmission and spread,” she added. —Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News