Dr. Eileen M. Manalo is making progress encouraging the Philippine government to address infertility. 

A founding member and former President of the Philippine Society of Reproductive Medicine, she is Associate Editor of the journal of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) and was elected Assistant Secretary General of IFFS for the 2022-2025 term.

Dr. Manalo organized a meeting with the Philippine Secretary of Health, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, and his team to discuss the More Joy campaign’s effort to stem declining fertility rates in the Philippines.

In the meeting, Dr. Herbosa promised to set up the first government-funded IVF Center in the Philippines and will incorporate family building curricula into schools, including medical schools and residency training.

The Philippine Society of Reproductive Medicine offered to help set up preconception care clinics working with the Philippine Society for Fertility Preservation and the Philippine Obgyn Society to educate adolescents and young adults regarding infertility prevention and how sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact fertility. This approach provides a more holistic view of reproductive health rather than simply focusing on teen pregnancy prevention.

Meeting participants also discussed the importance of designating infertility as a disease so that it is covered by health insurance, a significant step to making infertility care more affordable and accessible.