DOH-MIMAROPA healthworkers compete for HCT certification

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(PNA), RMA/LSJ/EDS

MANILA, May 31 (PNA) -- Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) on Monday started holding a 5-day Training for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) Counseling and Testing (HCT) to 25 health workers from various hospitals and clinics of the region.

The training being held at the Best Western La Corona, Hotel in Malate, Manila will be completed by June 3, 2016, with the objective of providing certificates to participants.

“HIV counseling and testing is the starting point to HIV prevention, support and treatment services. It is fundamental to all HIV program that is why it is crucial that counselors must be competent and psychologically fit for the position,” DOH MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.

Janairo said that increasing awareness, education and the capacity of health workers to assist the increasing number of people living with HIV (PHLIV) would make handling of social hygiene clinics, counseling and testing centers more effective.

He also said that participants would undergo a strict training to cope up and address the increasing demand for HIV counseling and testing services.

“Frontliners in HIV advocacy such as health workers and HIV counselors must be updated on how to effectively deliver the counseling and testing services,” Janairo added.

According to the latest DOH report, from 2000 to 2004, age of HIV cases ranges from 30 to 39 years old; from 2005 to 2009, it was 25 to 34 yo; and from 2010 to 2015, it was 20 to 29 years.

Records from the 2015 HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP), more 18-24 years old are getting HIV in Palawan Province.

The basic knowledge on HIV is very low, initiation to sex starts as early as 15 years old, first anal sex at 16 years old first condom use at 17 yo and first HIV test at 21 years old.

The HCT certification will be provided by the National HIV AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP) of the DOH – National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) to the successful trainees.

There are currently 17 HIV counseling and testing centers in MIMAROPA located in Puerto Galera - Social Hygiene Clinic (Landline: (043) 4420182 / Mobile: 09178252929); Puerto Princesa City - Social Hygiene Clinic (Landline: (048) 4346581/Mobile: 09189466686), Puerto Princesa City Provincial Health Office (Landline: (48) 434-9996), Ospital ng Palawan, Palawan Red Top Center, (Mobile: 0920 440 8720), Agape Rural Program, Inc. (Mobile: 0917 543 2150), MMH Coop Hospital (Mobile: 0917 928 5379) and Amos Tara! Community Center;

-Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0908 529 9183); Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0932 877 7011);

-San Jose, Occidental Mindoro - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0920 931 9336); Sta. Cruz, Marinduque - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0917 552 4912);

-Boac, Marinduque - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0998 196 2489); Odiongan, Romblon - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0918 959 1565);Coron, Palawan - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0908 893 7202); El Nido, Palawan - Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0917 801 1925) and

-Narra, Palawan - Narra Social Hygiene Clinic (Mobile: 0920 414 8050).