By Rowena T. Cruz Barangay Health Workers participate in an HIV Awareness Orientation in San Francisco on World AIDS Day 2025. (QPHO) SA...
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| Barangay Health Workers participate in an HIV Awareness Orientation in San Francisco on World AIDS Day 2025. (QPHO) |
SAN FRANCISCO, Quezon - In San Francisco, Quezon, World AIDS Day recently brought local health workers together for an HIV Awareness Orientation. PCF San Francisco, the Provincial Health Office, and PROTECTS UPSCALE volunteers led the activity and gathered Barangay Health Workers who serve as frontliners in community health education.
The orientation updated BHWs on HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment while tackling stigma that still discourages testing and early care. Organizers stressed the need to strengthen frontline capacity, noting that barangay health workers often guide residents through their first questions about the virus.
Participants joined sessions on PrEP and PEP to understand how these preventive tools reduce infection risk. Trainers added a demonstration on proper condom use, and health teams conducted on-site Rapid HIV Testing to give attendees a confidential way to learn their status.
An open forum allowed BHWs to raise concerns from field experience, creating candid exchanges on misconceptions that persist in many communities. Facilitators described the discussion as key to building worker confidence and ensuring households receive accurate information.
The event highlighted how coordinated work among local governments, NGOs, and volunteers supports the national goal of zero new infections, zero stigma, and zero AIDS-related deaths. Organizers urged continued education efforts and stronger community engagement to sustain progress in the country’s HIV response.
Training equipped barangay frontliners with updated knowledge and tools that help them lead clearer health conversations in homes across San Francisco. Local officials said stronger grassroots networks will help communities respond to HIV challenges and maintain momentum in awareness and prevention.
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