Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 45B, S. 2000)
The main purpose is to improve the quality of health care services for the prevention and management of abortion and its complications in the Philippines.
The Center for Family Health (CFH) is responsible for policy development, standard setting, coordination, and integration of the PMAC activities.
The three key elements are: 1) Prevention and treatment of abortion and its complications; 2) Counseling; and 3) Linkages between PMAC and other reproductive health services.
Abortion is illegal in the Philippines, and induced abortions are mostly done clandestinely.
Quality PMAC includes counseling for the patient, referral to appropriate reproductive health services, and post-abortion family planning services.
By training service providers, upgrading health facilities, strengthening service linkages, establishing referral systems, and ensuring availability of supplies and drugs.
At the primary referral level, PMAC services include counseling, uterine evacuation for incomplete abortions, family planning methods, initial patient management before referral, diagnosis and referral for severe complications, and providing information, education, and communication (IEC).
Counseling is to assess and acknowledge patient needs and concerns, provide information about their condition and treatment, and assist them in making decisions regarding family planning and other reproductive health services.
Post-abortion family planning should be initiated immediately at the time of post-abortion care using all appropriate contraceptive methods based on individual assessment and counseling.
The Technical Working Group includes representatives from various health and reproductive health organizations, and its function is to prepare policies, guidelines, and action plans for PMAC implementation.
Linking ensures abortion patients have access to a wide range of reproductive health services such as treatment for infections, cancer screening, infertility advice, and prenatal care, promoting comprehensive care.
It proposes decentralizing services, providing standardized protocols, systematic training, and ensuring that components of PMAC are available at every health delivery site, from community to tertiary hospitals.
The Order took effect fifteen (15) days upon publication in an official gazette after its adoption on May 2, 2000.