THE United Nations and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica) have turned over two mobile health facilities to the provincial governments of Samar and Southern Leyte that would offer free medical services for adolescents to improve adolescent health and curb adolescent pregnancies.

The mobile health facility, called "TrucKABATAAN," is part of the ongoing joint program on accelerating the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in Southern Leyte and Samar in the Philippines, which is a collaborative effort supported by the Korean government through Koica and in partnership with the Philippine government, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, the mobile health facility would provide accessible health services that would empower young people.

"Reducing teenage pregnancies is a key goal for the Philippine government — a goal that the United Nations and our partners are committed to help achieve by mobilizing knowledge, resources and opportunities to better enable youth in the Philippines to reach their full potential," Gonzalez added.

Koica Country Director Kim Eun-sub said that the aid agency will continue to strongly support the Philippines for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health rights for Filipino adolescents and reduce adolescent pregnancies.

Department of Health-Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development Director Exuperia Sabalberino said that while much needs to be done in preventing adolescent pregnancies, the region is now making significant progress due to the implementation of various programs, projects and strategies aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy.

According to the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality survey, Eastern Visayas has one of the highest rates of 15- to 19-year-old female youths that have begun childbearing.

"Through this mobile clinic, we will be bringing essential health services directly to the doorsteps of our young people. From sexual and reproductive health education to maternal and child health services, TrucKABATAAN will provide comprehensive support tailored to the unique needs of adolescents," Sabalberino added.

Leila Joudane, UN Population Agency Philippine country representative, stressed that becoming pregnant during their adolescent years can disrupt the adolescent's "crucial time" for growth, education and development.

Unicef Philippine Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said that investment in adolescent health builds strong economies, inclusive communities and vibrant societies.

"Investing in adolescents' health builds strong economies, inclusive communities and vibrant societies. Adolescent-centered approaches, such as these mobile clinics, put young people at the heart of the solution and give them opportunities to access key services and participate meaningfully in their communities," Dendevnorov said.

WHO Philippines Representative Rui Paulo de Jesus said that adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern that would require whole-of-society efforts that would involve families, service providers, schools, policymakers and youth.

"We hope these mobile facilities will be able to bring services much closer to those in need at any time, anywhere," de Jesus said.

The program aims to bridge the gap in access to quality health care services for adolescents, particularly those residing in remote or underserved areas.

Under the program, a medical team will travel with the mobile clinics and visit young people ages 10 to 19 in at least 20 local government units in Southern Leyte and Samar, where they will provide compassionate and confidential care, holistic health care, education, early intervention, and community engagement.

The trucks are air-conditioned, adolescent-friendly, and contain a medical bed, audiovisual system, laboratory equipment for basic diagnostic tests, solar panels and satellite internet connectivity.

The local government unit will also provide a driver, administrative staff, and a medical team composed of a doctor, nurse, midwife, medical technician, social worker and peer educator.

The partners will work closely with the Department of Health, the Department of Education, Samar and Southern Leyte governors, and other government agencies to roll out adolescent-friendly services through the TrucKABATAAN.