DepEd San Juan, PES and TLY Inc talk about HIV Awareness during Brigrada Eskwela 2019
“Education sector plays a pivotal role in creating awareness and consciousness amongst our stakeholders as regards to HIV prevalence in our country and other relevant issues. As integrated in our curriculum, SDO San Juan City strikes as the catalyst to transcend this laudable initiative to communities as part and parcel of DepEd’s Reproductive Health Programs and Projects.” – Dr. Alejandro G. Ibañez, OIC – Schools Division Superintendent.
DepEd Schools Division Office of San Juan City and Pinaglabanan Elementary School (PES) in partnership with The LoveYourself Inc (TLY Inc), a Leading HIV Awareness NGO in the country, successfully initiated a One-Day Seminar on HIV Awareness (HIV 101) on May 22, 2019. The activity is part of the Special Topics and Medical Mission Services provided to participants of Brigada Eskwela 2019.
With the goal of raising awareness on HIV, breaking myths and stigma, Mr. Pete SC Tan, Administrative Officer of TLY Inc facilitated the talk on “HIV 101”. There were around 80 parents, teachers, and SDO Personnel educated on the relevant concepts about Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the rising DOH statistics of the prevalence of HIV in the country; as of March 2019, 38 people are being diagnosed positive with the virus, everyday. In the discussion, Mr. Tan clarified some myths about HIV and AIDS. According to him, there is no scientific evidence that on the belief that HIV can be passed by kissing or sharing utensils with an infected individual. He then stressed the importance of support system from family and friends to Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).
In the afternoon, trained TLY’s HIV Counselors who underwent series of specialized training facilitated the private and confidential one-on-one HIV Testing, known as Community-Based Screening (CBS). An immunochromatographic assay kit which reveals result in 15-20 minutes was used in the procedure. As per protocol, the counselors discussed with the clients some salient information on HIV, AIDS, and sexual health management. Clients were also given time to clarify some of their issues in relation to sexual health management and test results. However, no printed results were given as part of the CBS protocol instead they were instructed to undergo regular testing procedures should they need printed results from TYL clinics.
The activity was concluded with future plans of strengthening partnership between the SDO, Schools, and The LoveYourself Inc. The partnership aims to communicate awareness not only to the adult stakeholders of DepEd SDO San Juan City but also to its learners who are much vulnerable to risks carried by misinformation and misjudgment in this cyberage.
Article Written by:
Dominique T. Rivera (Senior Education Program Specialist, HRD)
