DKT Philippines Foundation, a non-profit organization powered by TRUST, launched the Philippines’ first-ever family planning floating clinic under its Service Outreach and Distribution Extension (SODEX) Program on August 20 at BangkaPro, the vessel’s builder, in Taguig City. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the initiative aims to expand access to free family planning and reproductive health services for hard-to-reach communities across Mindanao.
Starting in September, the floating clinic will serve communities in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. The clinic offers a range of free family planning services on board, including consultations and counseling, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and two-rod implants, as well as temporary methods including pills, injectables, and condoms.
Denise van Dijk, Chair of the Board of DKT Philippines Foundation, Inc. and President and CEO of DKT Health, Inc., said the initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to making quality reproductive healthcare accessible to every Filipino.
“For more than three decades, DKT Philippines Foundation has worked to remove barriers to family planning through innovation and strong partnerships. The SODEX Floating Clinic is another important step in that mission, allowing us to bring more communities better access to family planning products and services of their choice,” she added.
The floating clinic is the latest addition to DKT Philippines Foundation’s SODEX Program, which delivers free family planning services through partner healthcare facilities and the country’s first family planning mobile clinic. Together, these initiatives expand access to quality reproductive healthcare for underserved communities nationwide.
Director II, Technical Services, Dr. Ahmad-Fawadz Israel represented Dr. Kadil “Jojo” M. Sinolinding Jr., Minister of the Ministry of Health-BARMM, at the launch and shared the Minister’s message on improving healthcare access for communities where geography continues to limit the availability of essential services.
“Many communities across BARMM continue to face significant challenges in accessing healthcare because of distance and geography. The SODEX Floating Clinic allows us to bring family planning information and services directly to our people instead of expecting them to travel long distances for care. This public-private partnership strengthens our commitment to making quality reproductive healthcare more accessible and responsive to the needs of Bangsamoro communities,” Dr. Sinolinding Jr. said in his message.
Additionally, Program Manager for National Family Planning Dr. Hardy Dumawing joined the event on behalf of the Department of Health (DOH). The department emphasized that family planning, as a health intervention, is an essential component of Universal Health Care, the country’s major health reform aimed at providing every Filipino with accessible and high-quality healthcare. Projects like the floating clinic help bring services up to the last mile, contributing to better health outcomes while advancing the country’s efforts to achieve its sustainable development goals.
Sharing this commitment, DKT Philippines Foundation continues to advocate for informed choice in family planning while remaining committed to providing Filipinos with access to quality reproductive health products and services wherever they are in the country. Since 1991, the Foundation has advanced family planning and reproductive health through education, advocacy, and partnerships. Powered by TRUST, it reinvests proceeds from TRUST product sales to fund free family planning services and outreach programs for vulnerable, remote, and underserved communities.
“Every community faces different challenges in accessing healthcare, and our outreach programs are designed to respond to those realities. Our work goes beyond providing services—we continuously look for ways to deliver care that is more accessible, responsive, and sustainable for the communities we serve,” said Loida Almendares, Director of Programs of DKT Philippines Foundation, Inc.