Celestino A. Ramirez, Vice President and Training Director of Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Incorporated (PAFPI), was invited to speak for a capacity building among TB-DOTS facilities service providers from 17 local government units (LGUs) around the National Capital Region. Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) supported the two-part event entitled “Tuberculosis or TB and HIV Collaboration Seminar” was last March 26-28 and April 2-4, 2014 in Angeles, Pampanga. The event was in partnership with the Department of Health National Capital Region Office (DoH-NCRO) and was attended by representatives from different LGUs, doctors, midwives and nurses.
In line with PAFPI’s mission statement to contribute to the national response in advocacy and prevention, Ramirez invited two people living with HIV (PLHIV) to give testimonies about the hardships and successes of dealing with the virus. This is also in line with the organization’s advocacy to educate the public on how a person living with HIV can surpass the borders of depression through proper guidance and quality counseling services.
The two PLHIVs were encouraged to share their stories and to give meaning and depth to the seminar by providing insights on how someone feels after being diagnosed with HIV. The whole experience gave participants a glimpse on the challenges brought by the virus. This also educates the participants on the kind of support that PLHIVs need.