The U.S. and Philippine governments celebrated the completion of three U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) health projects which have improved the health of Filipino women, infants, and children. USAID invested Php4 billion nationwide between 2013 and 2018 to expand quality health care for mothers and newborns, reduce teen pregnancies, and support couples to achieve their desired family size.

The LuzonHealth, VisayasHealth, and MindanaoHealth projects, in partnership with the Department of Health, developed health policies and guidelines, built the capacity of health policymakers and providers, introduced high impact health interventions, and provided technical assistance to increase demand for family health services and improve access to these services. This partnership between USAID, Department of Health, local government units, non-governmental organizations and the private sector supports a healthier and more prosperous Philippines, part of the development goals under Ambisyon Natin 2040.

At the event on October 17, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said, "The U.S. government invests in the health of mothers and children, first, because we care deeply about their lives and well-being; and additionally, because healthy families are crucial to advancing and sustaining the Philippines' development."

Over the past six years, USAID and DOH expanded access to family planning, neonatal, and child health services for over 4 million women and children. In addition, USAID and DOH trained nearly 40,000 health workers to provide quality health services for mothers, newborns, and children, with a focus on reaching low-income, marginalized families. In the past five years, deaths of women in childbirth declined by 12 percent, and deaths of children under five years of age declined by 13 percent.

"The Department of Health commends development partners, like USAID, for supporting our goal of quality health for all, especially the underprivileged," said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque.

Since 2012, USAID has invested over Php6 billion in financial and technical assistance to support DOH's family planning and maternal and child health programs. Nearly half a million Filipino adolescents ages 15 to 19 are already mothers. Early childbearing poses several health risks for young women and their children, and can prevent youth from achieving their full potential. Without access to family planning and maternal care, 13 Filipino mothers die every day from pregnancy-related complications.