CURRENT
HEALTH PROJECTS
HIV Awareness with Aesculapius 87 Association
Creation of Aesculapius 87 Association
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The UERM87 Foundation has funded grants for two projects in the Philippines, supporting HIV Awareness and UERMMMCI Graduate School’s Alternative Medicine clinic working closely with our collaborators, our Philippine based UERM Class 87 batch mates and school mates. The eternal fire of Class 1987 received a second spark fanning the flames quickly to make a positive difference in society, igniting the creation of the Aesculapius 87 Association spearheaded by equally passionate classmates.
Back in October 2017, a proposal was created for HIV Awareness which the UERM87 Foundation took an interest in funding. The Philippines is one of seven countries with the fastest growing number of HIV cases worldwide, with certain areas identified as “hotspots” or areas of highest HIV rates. In the last 5 years, an alarming increase in HIV cases was noted in the younger age group, specifically ages 15-24. There is a compelling need to educate adolescents aged 12-15 on HIV, its risks and consequences, along with the need to incorporate this in the schools’ subjects of biology and sexuality.
A one-hour educational program on HIV will be held bi-monthly for one year at 6 schools in the Mandaluyong and Metro Manila areas, which are “hotspots” for HIV infection. This will include a 15-minute lecture on HIV, a 15-minute Q and A, a 5-minute introduction to a video contest on HIV prevention and a 10-minute post test. Prizes will be awarded to the students who scored highest on the post-test and monetary rewards will be awarded to the video contest winners. In addition, these videos may be used for future educational purposes. Contest winners will be announced 8 weeks following the completion of the educational program.
In March of 2018, Lynn Quisumbing met with a core group of Philippine classmates to collaborate with on projects the UERM87 Foundation was funding. Thus, the Aesculapius 87 Association of UERMMMC Batch 1987 was born, headed by Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, President. Other elected officers are as follows: Vice President Nellie Viray-Jiao, Secretary Donna de Padua, Treasurer Gary Sicam, and Auditor Bong Casis. The other Board of Directors are Francis Gomez and Rhiza Valdes.
The Aesculapius 87 Association Officers and Board of Directors are actively involved in the HIV Awareness Program and have collaborated with experts from the Department of Education, Director Rizalino Jose T. Rosales, Philippine Society of Venereologists, Inc, (PSVI) President Dr. Roberto Pascual Jr., and Dr. Emmerson Vista. Director Rosales who is also the Director of the Bureau of Learner Support Services, School Head Division and PSVI will provide recommendations on delivery of the program at the schools and assist in providing expert speakers. Dr. Vista is a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society, who trained in venereology in Germany and is a Galderma grant awardee for his study on Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices among Filipino adults on HIV/AIDS.
In April 2018, the memorandum of agreement (MOA) letter between the UERM87 Foundation and Aesculapius 87 Association was hand delivered by Rica Vizarra-Villongco for Nellie Viray-Jiao to sign so the project could officially commence.
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In July 2018, another MOA signing of officers of Aesculapius 87 Association with PSVI on projects with the Department of Health and the Department of Education on HIV Awareness took place.
On August 8, 2018, the first lecture was held at Nagpayong High School in Pasig City. In attendance were Drs. Paulyn Rosell-Ubial, Nellie Viray-Jiao, Rhiza Valdes from Aesculapius 87 Association with Drs. Roberto Pascual, Portia Charisma-Ortiz, Jovanni Temploneuvo and Emerson Lim of PSVI and seven 8th grade classes (350 total) with very interactive students.
HIV Mentoring Workshop Video
July 20, 2018, DepEd Pasig City Division
