The Caloocan City Health Department (CHD) conducted a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) "Stigma Reduction Seminar" for the city's barangay officials on Monday, April 24.
The Stigma Reduction Seminar was held at the city hall and was also attended by Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members.
CHD Head Dr. Evelyn Cuevas said the purpose of the seminar was to encourage the barangay chairpersons to intensify the campaign against HIV and STI stigma in their respective barangays.
“Ang pagsasagawa po natin ng mga seminar, awareness campaigns ay napaka importante talaga dahil natuturuan natin ang ating mga mamamayan, kapag alam nila ang mga tamang impormasyon at mga dapat nilang gawin, maiwasan ang kanilang pagkataranta, sobrang pag-aalala o pag-iisip (Awareness campaign is very important to teach our citizens the right information and what they should do to avoid panic, excessive worry or thinking),” Cuevas stated.
She said the barangay leaders can intensify the campaign by conducting house visits among the city residents.
Meanwhile, Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan expressed his gratitude to CHD personnel for their dedication to protecting public health. He said that the local government will continue to improve the quality of healthcare among HIV and STI patients in the city.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa ating mga kawani mula sa City Health Department (CHD). Ikinatutuwa ko ang inyong dedikasyon na mapangalagaan ang ating mga kababayan, patuloy po nating sisikapin na maitaas ang antas ng serbisyong kalusugan sa Caloocan (We thank our staff from CHD. I appreciate your dedication in taking good care of our locals. We will continue to strive to raise the level of health services in Caloocan)” he remarked.
"The topic is very vital in ending the common misconceptions about HIV and STIs as well as in setting the role of barangay personnel in guiding the public and in reducing both the prevalence of these diseases and the myths associated with them," the mayor added.