Suportahan Tika! All about Patient Support Groups online

The HIV treatment hub where I work with people living with HIV (PLHIVs) has been organizing monthly support groups for women in collaboration with a non-government organization since 2014.  The COVID19 pandemic didn't stop this support group as they turned to social media groups to stay connected.

Illnesses like HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, tuberculosis and/or leprosy may continue to be stigmatized such that patients remain vulnerable to discrimination.  Support groups provide safe spaces to share one's feelings openly and to be accepted with dignity.

Let us talk about how patient support groups help manage mental health problems related to stigmatizing chronic illnesses, tonight on #HealthXPH at 9PM MLA time.

T1.  Share your personal experiences with support groups.

T2.  How do support groups help manage mental health problems related to illnesses?

T3.  What is the role of social media in patient support groups?

What are you willing to do for your job?

There are a lot of things we do for our work that are beyond the scope of our job description.  Since we work in health service delivery, we ofteb have to think out of the box to ensure that our patients have access to our services, that processes are convenient for them and that we listen to their feedback for improvement.

"Love, PAHS" florist for a day

Valentine's Day came and went with our initial venture into "Love, PAHS" Valentine's Day booth selling flowers, chocolates and serenade packages for VSMMC employees.  For a day, I felt like Cupid bringing loved ones together and helping the shy ones express their feelings of admiration and appreciation.

INTEGRITY

Integrity is the word of the day.

For me, INTEGRITY means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.

 

 

You are destined to be a guiding light

 

The Role of Faith and Devotion in Health and Wellness

This weekend we Filipinos are celebrating the Feast of the Senior Santo Nino, the Child Jesus.  In Cebu, this is a big festival of faith and devotion called SINULOG where everyone shouts "Viva Pit Senyor!" and devotees sing Batobalani sa Gugma (Magnet of Love) and wave to the Sto Nino during masses and processions.

Penitential Walk with Mary

The volume of devotees who continue to join the penitential walk with Mary on the dawn Friday and the solemn foot procession on Saturday afternoon speaks about the faith of the Cebuano people in the Sto Nino.  

Devotees from all over the Philippines and even beyond flock to Cebu every January to pay tribute to the Child Jesus, praying the rosary, waving in churches and walking long foot processions - many to atone for their sins, others to pray for healing from illnesses and others for their own personal intentions.

As a doctor, we are taught not to impose our own culture and beliefs on patients.  Whatever works to benefit the patient's health status and well-being should be respected and accepted.  Some articles point that religious coping can significantly improve treatment outcomes.  The article on Prayer and healing: a medical and scientific perspective to randomized controlled trials seems to tell us that research will always be constrained by scientific limitations. 

Join us tonight as we discuss about the role of faith and devotion in health and wellness:

T1.  Share a personal experience about faith, devotion or religious practice.

T2.  How does faith and devotion affect health and wellness?

T3.  Does faith, devotion or religion interfere with health and wellness? 

Marital advice from a single ninang

Advice for Julito and Cyrenn

1.  PRIORITIZE each other.  Two have become one.  There are three people in this relationship.  The first person is God.  Pray for your spouse always. When your spouse makes a mistake, forgive and forgive quickly so that you can move forward.

2.  TRUST each other.  Believe in your promises.  Be mutually faithful.  Never make fun of your spouse's decisions because YOU are one of them.

3.  COMMUNICATE.  Learn to say thank you, i'm sorry and I love you. Your wife needs to be told that she is loved, that she is beautiful and that she is valuable.  Learn each other's love languages.

4.  TIME is the best gift you can give your spouse.  Once spent, time cannot be recovered or replaced.  Invest in TIME for each other.  

5.  Make SACRED the SPACE between you. This sacred space is where your relationship will grow and prosper.  This is where your children will learn to grow in love. May you have as many children as you can afford.

Anything and EVERYTHING can change in a blink of the eye.  Therefore, live in the moment.  If there is something you want to say, say it now.  If there is something you want to do, do it now.  Tomorrow may be too late.