SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Feb. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) in Ilocos Region is expanding its Key Assistance for Developing Adolescents (KADA) Network to nine public hospitals in Pangasinan.
 
The program aims to address the social barriers surrounding adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) by establishing a network that strengthens existing adolescent-friendly health facilities.
 
It was initially piloted in five hospitals namely, Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City, Dasol Community Hospital, Bayambang District Hospital, Bolinao Community Hospital, and Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City.
 
DOH-Region 1 Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said “This program will also reorient ASRH services to include a holistic community-based team ready to serve adolescents.”
 
Sydiongco highlighted the various challenges faced by adolescents, including increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), early sexual initiation, unwanted pregnancy, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and rising suicide cases.
 
She emphasized the importance of providing adolescents with reliable information, guidance, and support from trusted adults.
 
“Kailangan nating mabigyan ng tamang gabay ang ating mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng mabuting paggabay ng mga community frontliners upang sila ay maging mabuting ehemplo sa kanilang komunidad,” Sydiongco emphasized.
 
(We need to empower our youth with positive guidance from community frontliners to become strong role models.)
 
In Pangasinan, there is an alarming increase in cases of teenage pregnancy with 15 and HIV infections with 215 recorded last year.
 
These concerns can be addressed through the KADA centers where an adolescent can visit and get proper intervention on the various challenges facing adolescents today.
 
The KADA centers will be staffed by community workers who can provide adolescents with adolescent-friendly health services, educational resources on sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, violence and injury prevention guidance, safety and protection information, and employment and social services.
 
The DOH regional office, through its Health Promotion Unit (HPU), will provide financial and technical assistance to establish and maintain the KADA network across the region.
 
The KADA network is also planned to be implemented in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union.
 
This initiative signifies the DOH's commitment to improving adolescent health outcomes in the Ilocos Region by addressing the social determinants of health and empowering young people to make informed choices. (JCR/AMB/PIA Region 1)