Sharing at a roundtable discussion on the 13th PNCA
25 October 2014, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pasig City
By Daisy A. Miraran 1 My Experiences and Personal Insights as CHOW for the GF-R6 PMTCT Project Involvement with the GF-R6 HIV and AIDS Project in the Philippines Sub of sub recipient on TCS The PMTCT division Coverage: Nationwide Project Period: April 2010 to June 2012 2 Responsibilities in General Provision of TCS services for women of child-bearing ages, pregnant and non-pregnant, HIV-positive or negative Four (4) Prongs of PMTCAT Services in General Peer counseling Assist on disclosure to partners and families Community education and basic STI/HIV and AIDS & PMTCT Support Benefits during pre-natal, delivery and post partum Referral services from Tx hubs and other partners that provide TCS for WHIVs 3 Contributing Factors to Achievement of Objectives Good referral system and working relationship Outreach activities during home and hospital visits Cooperation and understanding of our clients on FP Methods Hard work on the side of CHOWs Extra Service Commitment of CHOWs. Overnight care-giving at hospital. We just feel healthy enough! 4 Factors that Limited Achievement of Objectives Financial constraints of beneficiaries Poor inaccessibility of facility to patients Personal attitudes of some of patients Patients fear of being disclosed and discriminated Lack of true sense of volunteerism among peers 5 Other Implementation Issues and Concerns Women MRPs refused to undergo HIV test: Still has to do with stigma Non-disclosure to HIV(-) partners Need for further efforts to promote FP among MRPs Failure of WHIVs, both disclosed and undisclosed, to recommend their male partners for testing Lingering misconceptions or attitudes of clients re: ART Stigma and discrimination concerns at birthing hospital not addressed Some were lost to follow after delivery due to high cost of postnatal care and distance of treatment facility Branching issue on breastfeeding versus infant formula. Others: Untreated STIs among pregnant women and delivering women 6 My Recommendations Strengthened education and promotion of testing among MRPs More sensible awareness and education to the gen-pop to help combat stigma and discrimination. Upgrading of enabling environment among pregnant WHIVs and those planning to get pregnant at the local level (SHC and treatment hubs) Partner notification strengthened. To include promotion of counseling and testing to partners of positive women All hospital staff be given proper training on HIV and AIDS. Referral system to RHUs be put in place for free access to vaccination of newborn babies 7 My Recommendations Part 2 The two years project is not enough to monitor the outcome of the project as re mother and infant. Effective network with PLHIV support groups and TX Hubs be created to unify all intervention efforts and prevent uncooperative elements. 8 How about womens and girls issues and concerns? 9 Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! 10 - Daisy