A mother's heartbeat, a newborn's first breath and a family's deepest hopes

Sharing here the Message from Dr Gerardo M. Aquino Jr, addressing the 2nd Quarterly Maternal Perinatal Statistics:

MAAYONG BUNTAG SA TANAN!

AS WE GATHER TO SHARE THIS QUARTER’S MATERNAL-PERINATAL STATISTICS, LET US PAUSE AND REMEMBER THAT EVERY DIGIT ON THE PAGE REPRESENTS A MOTHER’S HEARTBEAT, A NEWBORN’S FIRST BREATH, AND A FAMILY’S DEEPEST HOPES. THESE FIGURES ARE FAR MORE THAN CLINICAL DATA—THEY ARE STORIES OF COURAGE, MOMENTS OF VULNERABILITY, AND THE PRECIOUS TRUST OUR PATIENTS PLACE IN US.

WHILE PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES GIVE US STRUCTURE, IT IS COMPASSION THAT BRINGS OUR WORK TO LIFE. A CAREFUL HAND, A PATIENT’S TEAR MET WITH A GENTLE WORD, A MOTHER’S FEAR ANSWERED WITH GENUINE WARMTH—THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WHEN RULES STEP ASIDE AND OUR HUMANITY LEADS THE WAY. IT IS COMPASSION THAT TURNS SKILLED TECHNIQUES INTO HEALING EXPERIENCES.

AND YET, DATA IS OUR COMPASS. EVERY PERCENTAGE POINT, EVERY TREND LINE, EVERY COMPARATIVE CHART SPOTLIGHTS WHERE WE EXCEL AND WHERE WE MUST GROW. IT TEACHES US WHICH PRACTICES SAVE LIVES AND WHICH MUST BE REFINED. BY HONORING THESE INSIGHTS, WE COMMIT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT—SO THAT EACH QUARTER, OUR OUTCOMES SHINE BRIGHTER, OUR INTERVENTIONS BECOME SWIFTER, AND OUR FAMILIES REST EASIER.

BUT THE HEALTH OF MOTHERS AND NEWBORNS DOES NOT REST ON OUR HOSPITAL ALONE. IT BELONGS TO A VAST TAPESTRY OF CARE—GOVERNMENT MATERNITY CENTERS, BARANGAY HEALTH STATIONS, PRIVATE CLINICS, BIG HOSPITALS, AND SMALL BIRTHING HOMES. WHEN A MIDWIFE IN A REMOTE BARANGAY CALLS FOR GUIDANCE, WE ANSWER. WHEN A SISTER HOSPITAL SHARES ITS BREAKTHROUGH, WE LISTEN. TOGETHER, WE FORM A NETWORK UNWAVERING IN ITS DEDICATION TO LIFE.

VICENTE SOTTO MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER PLEDGES TO STAND WITH EVERY ONE OF YOU—SHARING EXPERTISE, RESOURCES, AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR DOORS, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR KNOWLEDGE ARE ALWAYS OPEN, BECAUSE EVERY MOTHER AND EVERY CHILD MATTERS. WE WILL WALK THIS JOURNEY ALONGSIDE YOU, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, DAY AFTER DAY, YEAR AFTER YEAR.

KAY DINHI SA SOTTO, KALIDAD NGA SERBISYO, AMONG GARBO. DAGHANG SALAMAT.

Lead with Compassion

Bad leaders are empathetic.

Great leaders are compassionate.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMoIO0PB_jt/?igsh=ZHF4OWtlYnd3OWMy

TEACHCebu HIV Hub Caravan

 

We have reached the culmination of our week-long HIV Hub Caravan in celebration of National Hospital Week 2025.  I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and  hope.  Over the past few days, we have virtually traveled across Cebu, to bridge the gap between people and the life-changing services available to them.  We've had the opportunity to showcase the vital work being done by our different HIV treatment hubs in Cebu including the following:

•       Cebu Social Hygiene Clinic

•       Visayas Medical Center Balay Malingkawasnon

•       Love Yourself

•       Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital

•       Mandaue City Social Hygiene Clinic

•       Talisay City Social Hygiene Clinic

•       Minglanilla City Social Hygiene Clinic

•       Naga iShine City Social Hygiene Clinic

•       Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center KAAMBAG Clinic

•       AIDvocates

•       Glory Reborn

•       Cebu South Medical Center

•       Cebu Provincial Hospital - Bogo

•       Cebu Provincial Hospital – Balamban

•       Cebu Provincial Hospital – Carcar

•       Danao City Social Hygiene Clinic

We've seen firsthand the dedication and expertise that these hubs offer in providing prevention, testing, treatment, and care services.  I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this caravan a success:

·      To the dedicated staff and volunteers from all the participating HIV treatment hubs.  Your commitment and passion are the driving force behind the care and support that save lives everyday.

·      To the local government units and community partners who welcomed us and helped us reach a wider audience. Your collaboration is vital in creating an environment where people feel safe and supported.

·      And most of all, to all of you – the viewers, the individuals and the families who joined us.  Your willingness to learn, ask questions, and to engage is the most important step in ending the stigma surrounding HIV.

This caravan was more than just an event; it was a crucial step in building a more informed and supportive community. We've hopefully empowered individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves and others from HIV, and we've broken down some of the barriers that prevent people from accessing the care they need.   This caravan has highlighted a critical truth:  we have the tools to manage and prevent HIV.  We have the knowledge, the medication, and the unwavering support of our healthcare community.  Our treatment hubs in Cebu are more than just clinics; they are sanctuaries of hope, offering a range of services from confidential testing and counseling to life-saving anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and holistic care.

However, our work is far from over. Our mission continues.  Stigma and discrimination continue to be major obstacles in the fight against HIV. We must all commit to creating a more inclusive and understanding environment, where everyone feels safe and empowered to seek help. 

As we move forward, let us remember the information and resources shared during this caravan. Let us continue to support our local HIV treatment hubs and advocate for policies that promote access to quality care for all. Let us carry the message of hope and empowerment we’ve shared this week back to our homes, our families and our communities.  Let’s be advocates for ourselves and for others, reminding everyone that:

·      TESTING IS KEY.  Knowing your status is the first step towards a healthy future

·      TREATMENT IS EFFECTIVE.  With consistent care, people living with HIV can live long, healthy and fulfilling lives.

·      STIGMA HAS NO PLACE.  We must continue to create a culture of acceptance and understanding, safe places for our PLHIV clients, enrolled alive on ART.

Let us all work together to ensure that every individual in Cebu has access to the information and services they need.  Let us move forward with compassion, courage and a shared vision of an HIV-free future.  Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV and work towards a future free from AIDS. Thank you for your participation and commitment.

 

No Balance Billing

The 2025 State of the Nation Address was the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Bongbong Marcos on July 28, 2025, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex. The SONA of the President mentioned "Bayad na ang Bill Mo!" through No-Balance-Billing at DOH Hospitals.  These are some of the steps towards full implementation of Universal Health Care.

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH to discuss about no-balance-billing:

T1.  What type of services should be ensured no-balance-billing?  Share your experiences, if any.

T2.  How do we ensure that essential and basic health services are equitably accessible and affordable to those who need it the most?

T3.  With government hospitals still congested with patients provided services regardless of ability to pay, how do we provide sufficient compensation and benefits to healthcare workers?

Health is wealth and should be considered a priority over economic activities.