I am oftentimes amazed at how privileged some of the sectors in our community are.  Or at least, in terms of government health program priorities.  Newborns has Essential Newborn Care Program.  Zero to five years old has the Expanded Immunization Program.  School-aged children has the GarantisadongPambata Program and other various school-based programs like immunization, deworming, feeding programs, etc.  Pregnant women and mothers has Breastfeeding TSEK Program.  Adults has various anti-lifestyle diseases and communicable diseases program.  Senior Citizens has the Health Development Program for Older Person.  The list goes on and on, but what captured my interest is the adolescent sector.  What about them?  Do we have a concrete health program for teenagers?  Yes, almost every program stated has space for the adolescents.  But what about a sole program that would cater the increasing problem of our teenagers nowadays.  Let’s say, teenage pregnancy, sexually-transmitted disease, mental health, and other risky behaviors like alcoholism, narcotic drugs and cigarette addiction.  While the government is strictly and smoothly implementing their health programs to various sectors of the community, why then are they having difficulty pushing through with the full implementation of Adolescent and Youth Health Program especially with the Reproductive Health.  Different sectors are not in unity with regards to how the program should be implemented.  There are lots of reservations and hesitations, and only few cities and municipalities are aggressive enough to fully implement it.

I am not taking sides.  I am not preaching what is good or bad.  I am merely a concerned health worker seeing many teenagers miss out on what is probably a bright future for them, if only they made the right choices.  The statistical figures shows how adolescent health-related problems progressively increase each year.  It has become rampant.  Younger teens involving in risky behaviors and even pre-marital sex, if not already pregnant.  To make it worse, social media adds to the chaotic fad among youth.  What is the next step now?  How are we going to address the vulnerable adolescents with their health issues?  Maybe it’s about time to really focus on this program… the health for teenagers.

By: Arman G. Cruz, R.N. | Bataan National High School | Balanga, Bataan