We have a lot to be thankful for, so let us count our blessings!
1. We have blessed and inaugurated our KAAMBAG CLINIC at Annex B 3rd floor, a center for HIV counselling and testing of patients of VSMMC, with the presence of our Medical Center Chief Dr Gerardo M Aquino Jr, our Chief of Clinics Dr Antonio Roque Paradela and our Chief Training Officer Dr Celia Mabalatan. Thank you! Thank you also to Dr Helen Amorin and the Vsmmc Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for allowing us to occupy the room for our KAAMBAG CLINIC.
2. We have reorganized our HIV/AIDS Core Team to include representatives from each department and area in VSMMC to help provide a multi-disciplinary approach to managing PLHIV and improving healthcare access, with Dr Mishelle Vonnabie Bala as our HACT Chair and Dr Chamberlain Balong Agtuca as our Program Manager. We thank Dr Abel Alera for holding the fort and keeping the HACT together all these years as HACT Chair.
3. We celebrate VSMMC HACT finally have access to the Philhealth OHAT package which will allow us to provide free laboratory tests and medicines to our PLHIV patients. Thank you Dr Aquino, the EXECOM members with special mention to mam Maureen Bien!
4. We are able to train VSMMC employees and volunteers to become DOH-certified HIV counsellors to serve our areas. Thank you to the Region 7 DOH Trainers Francis Irvin Baring, Kirstine Jane Blanco, JZ Lim, Dr Janice Navarro, Lord Lawrence Latonio, and Quini Rubio with the support of DOH RO7 HIV Program Head Dr Van Phillip Baton.
5. We were given permission by the Training Office and Chief of Clinics to conduct a hospital-wide HIV forum for healthcare workers from May 14 to May 17 in celebration of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Kudos to our nurses Don Llamera and Kim Yuson and to our case managers Josh Ivan, Crixty EL, Gen Branzuela, Mary Grace Calumba, Jc Genrose, Jennifer Andrino, Ray Mond, Rjay Capioso Escarillo Jr.!
6. We have members of the EXECOM, supporters and VSMMC Employees signing our commitment tarpaulin "Akong gidawat ang hagit aron mapataas ang kahibalo sa HIV ug pagpakunhod sa dungog ug diskriminasyon batok sa mga tawo ng adunay HIV"
7. We have agencies such as the AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, PBSP and ASP providing us with salaries for our HACT staff, our case managers and to fund activities and much-needed resources for the VSMMC HIV treatment hub.
8. We are able to co-organize the HEALTH IS LIFE Run with other organizations to raise funds for activities of the HIV program on May 18, 2019 at 3am at SM Cebu. Special mention Jerson Tolentino See and Dr Ilya Abellanosa who have always been very supportive of our patients and programs.
9. We will be able to keep open our VSMMC HIV Treatment Hub until 10pm to facilitate distribution of ARVs to PLHIVs beyond office hours.
10. We have a strong Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Program in VSMMC to cater to PLHIVs in Cebu, with one of the highest number of patients enrolled in the Philippines. Special thanks to the VSMMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the dynamic OBGYN Residents, nurses, nursing and OR staff! Special mention to Hilary Overton and Glory Reborn for the mothers' support group, for doing what the doctors can't do.
#TEACHCebu: Targetting Enhanced Awareness and Control of HIV in Cebu
We are in Cebu - the heart of the Philippine HIV Epidemic and we are in a position of opportunity to make an impact on #gettingtozero and reducing stigma and discrimination against PLHIV. Everybody has a role in this fight. Each person should be included.
Strategies to #GettoZero
1. Diagnose - #GetTested
2. Link to Care - #ReduceHIVStigma
3. Viral Suppression - #ARVforever
4. Treatment to Prevention - "U=U"
UNDETECTABLE = UNTRANSMISSIBLE
Time to move on and get back to work!
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