TIM eMagazine Vol.1 Issue 4
HIV-AIDS among
seafarers cited
S
eafarers continue to be the most vulnerable people
to HIV-AIDS that is why the government medical
community prioritized them in preventive and care
campaign.
This was learned during the round table discussion
sponsored by JMG and AMOSUP on HIV-AIDS held
recently.
DOH, ITF, WHO representative-presentors during the
discussion included: Ms. Nerissa N. Dominguez, Altaf Asif,
Jacqueline Smith, Mary Joy Morin, Pamela Rose Matti, and
Cecilio Seno III.
Two vulnerable targets were identified, namely: the marine
cadets who can be reached via schools, families and their
churches. And, those seafarers already onboard who can be
reached via their companies, their unions, as well as hopefully
thru regular and social media.
On top of education campaign is a trainor’s training program
which would be a cooperation between the private sector and
Government. It would start in maritime campuses specifically
MAAP and would recruit instructors and volunteers from various
interested groups.
At the same time, the working group would be making the
formal proposal to make it part of the curriculum in schools so
that it will be compulsory for all students later. As this will take
time, the more immediate action is to have a platform to launch
info campaign via website that DOH will be doing soon.
It will make a lot of things possible via information drive,
educational, preventive as well as provide much needed
assistance that DOH is capable of via their existing clinics and
stations nationwide, the forum approved.
The discussion was highlighted by two marine officers wh