The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development continues to advance a holistic, people-centered approach to improving HIV services in the region through major trainings conducted in the past months, each addressing a critical pillar of the HIV care continuum.
Through the Channels of Hope (CoH) Training, participants were equipped to challenge stigma and discrimination by deepening their understanding of HIV, unpacking harmful misconceptions, and fostering more compassionate and inclusive perspectives within communities and faith groups. This training aimed to build supportive environments by empowering participants to confront stigma head-on and promote acceptance through values-based dialogue and reflection.
The Client-Centered Case Management (CCCM) Training strengthened the capacity of case managers to offer personalized, responsive, and empowering support for people living with HIV. Its objective was to build competencies in effective intake, risk assessment, counseling, disclosure assistance, treatment linkage, and sustained retention ensuring that every client receives comprehensive, continuous care across the HIV cascade.
Finally, the Provider-Initiated Counselling and Testing (PICT) with Facility-Based Testing (FBT) Training enhanced the skills of healthcare providers in delivering routine and ethical HIV testing within facilities. The training aimed to increase early diagnosis by improving competence in counselling, screening procedures, testing algorithms, and proper documentation, ultimately ensuring accurate, confidential, and client-centered testing services.
Together, these trainings reflect DOH Bicol’s commitment to strengthening HIV care through an integrated approach addressing stigma, enhancing case management, and improving provider capacity in facility-based testing.
As HIV cases continue to rise in the Bicol Region, DOH Bicol remains steadfast in its mission to empower healthcare workers, partners, and community leaders with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to deliver equitable, ethical, and high-quality HIV services.
A more informed, capable, and compassionate HIV workforce is vital to achieving better health outcomes for all Bicolanos.