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110 ‘PrEPPY Peers,’ to scale-up PrEP services in Central Luzon written by Edgar Bagasol Jr. From page 1: First-ever National...
A total of 110 health service providers and community workers participated in the #PrEParingCL training series done via zoom. Screen grabbed by JCorciega
The DOH Central Luzon Center for Health Development (DOH-CLCHD) and the Regional TBHIV Support Network (RTSHN) launched the #PrEParingCL training series on August 28. These efforts were in accordance with the region’s dedication to improve and expand delivery of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services in Central Luzon. A total of 110 health service providers and community workers heed the call and started training to become PrEP coaches for the region.
delivery model, the participants of the said training dubbed ‘PrEPPY Peers’, underwent a three-hour webinar about the basics of PrEP and the national guidelines for PrEP service delivery. Project Kalasag Convenor Danvic Rosadiño meanwhile shared LoveYourself’s experiences, particularly on the engagement of PrEP peer coaches and the use of telemedicine from their pilot PrEP implementation.
At the latter part of the webinar, the PrEPPY Peers, together with DOH Regional Program Coordinator Joseph Michael Manlutac, also shared their experiences as PrEP service providers in Central Luzon. According to Adolfo Paras III, Assistant Re- They then analyzed how PrEP coaching gional Coordinator of the Region 3 Global could be incorporated in their current serFund ACER Project, the need to scale-up vice delivery model. PrEP emerged from their assessment findings on key populations (KP) in the region. It is expected that the PrEPPY Peers will “Key populations of the HIV epidemic in cascade what they have learned from the our region have been evolving—from just training to their respective centers and sex workers to men having sex with men networks. With the first batch of peers, (MSM), specifically those who engage in “the region hopes to increase awareness transactional sex [‘extra services’ in spa, and number of enrollees for PrEP; imcasual hook-ups etc.],” Paras said. proved quality of PrEP services by modifying delivery approaches and strategies; “When we asked these MSM if they’ll be increase number of tested KPs to HIV; and willing to avail PrEP if it will be made avail- enhance condom access and usage among able in the region, all of them said yes. This KPs,” Paras expressed. surfaced the need to increase awareness about PrEP among MSM, as well as to ex- Ultimately, the region envisions establishpand PrEP access points since currently, ing PrEP Centers in each of the 7 provincthere are only 8 PrEP centers in Central es and 14 cities in the whole region. They Luzon,” he added. are also planning to expand PrEP access among sex workers and Transgender womAdopting LoveYourself Inc. PrEP service en in the near future.
Condoms and lubricants were highlighted on August 8, as winners of the #ShootTheRubberPH photography contest were announced. Confusion regarding the difference of PrEP vs PEP was meanwhile cleared up on August 15 with a webinar. Further, hearts fluttered as the importance of TASP and the Undetectable=Unstramittable (U=U) concept was given a spotlight during an online dating show on August 22. Leading up to a fun-filled culmination on August 29, a free online screening of films from the Cinespectra 2019 and Elisa Richards was also held from August 26 to September 1. Various community-based organizations across the country also followed suit, launching activities and localized campaigns in support of the NHPM. Through vlogs, talk shows, and physical community engagement activities, HIV advocates on a national scale showed their passion in educating and raising awareness about HIV combination prevention. Moreover, the Safe Spaces Chatbot was also launched (https://m.me/safespacesph) in support of the campaign, engaging Facebook users to know more about and access the HIV prevention methods. This year’s NHPM is supported by UNAIDS Philippines, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, APCOM, and LoveYourself, Inc. The NHPM is set to be a yearly campaign to advocate and spread awareness on HIV combination prevention.
In collaboration with SKPA Philippines and LoveYourself Inc., this training was conducted in support of the Philippine National HIV Prevention Month celebration. The 2nd leg of the training which is on Social Marketing will be held on September 4. This training will capacitate the PrEPPY Peers in creating effective PrEP campaigns, both in on-ground and online platforms.
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