PGLU-PHO leads training on community – base HIV screening to DepEd personnel

May 28, 2022 Provincial

In observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day held every third Sunday of May, which commemorates the lives of those who have died due to AIDS-related complications, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) reaffirmed its commitment to address the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic in the province and break the stigma surrounding it through facilitating a Community Based HIV Screening (CBS) Training among Department of Education (DepEd) personnel in La Union.
The PGLU through the Provincial Health Office (PHO), and in partnership with the Department of Health – Centers for Health Development 1 (DOH-CHD 1), conducted a face-to-face CBS Training participated in by Doctors, Nurses, and Clinic Teachers of DepEd – La Union Division.
Two batches of DepEd personnel attended the said training held on May 17-18, 2022, and May 19-20, 2022 at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Training Hall, Sevilla, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The PHO strongly believes that the CBS Training is an effective strategy to efficiently increase awareness on HIV/AIDS-related topics among our kaprobinsiaan especially the harder to reach key populations.
Further, the training is developed for the participants to acquire proper knowledge and correct procedures in administering, linking, and handling Community Based and Outreach HIV Screening (CBS/OHS) which could result in a higher number of testing uptakes.
Since the CBS Training is in partnership with DepEd La Union, it also strengthens the Adolescent Reproductive Health – Comprehensive Sexual Education Program (ARH-CSE) of the Department which is part of the whole-of-government response to the ongoing challenges of high levels of adolescent pregnancies, HIV/AIDS infection, and other reproductive health issues among young people.
Series of lectures and discussions relative to HIV, HIV testing and procedures, and Republic Act 11166 or Philippine Aids Prevention and Control Act of 1998 was done during the first day of training.
For the second day, the participants were tested and evaluated on how they comprehended the lectures through a return demonstration. They were also able to perform the step-by-step procedure in HIV screening as well as the pre and post counseling for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIVs).
Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Dan William Y. Dacanay II also attended the two-day CBS Training and expressed his optimism that the training shall decrease the stigma and discrimination among PLHIV. He added that while HIV infection has no cure yet, it could be treated through Anti-Retroviral Therapy. “PLHIVs can still have a normal life as long as they are compliant with the treatment,” he said.
Present during the training as resource speakers were Mr. Raymark O. Perreras, Regional HIV/AIDS Surveillance Officer and Ms. Meryl Kristine M. Dela Vega, Regional HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator of DOH-CHD 1; and Ms. Katrina E. Gallema, Provincial HIV/AIDS Coordinator and Ms. Jonalyn V. Fernandez, Medical Technologist II of the PHO.
The PGLU remains committed to its health awareness advocacies including HIV/AIDS awareness to promote the healthy lifestyle of the kaprobinsiaan as the province continues to soar as a #StrongerLaUnion, a province worth living in.
Geraldine B. Salazar-Lucero, PIO