Jeramie Diaz, Nenita L. Ortega RMT MA, Jose NMC Sescon MD DPOGS
Pinoy Plus Association, Kaagapay Support Group, Remedios AIDS Foundation Inc., Philippines

MOBILIZING ORPHANED FAMILIES
FOR CARE AND SUPPORT OF PWAS

PROBLEM:

In most of the cases, hospital-based PLWA once admitted is left by their own relatives and no one look after them. Numbers of assigned healthcare workers are limited. There are usually 12 to 17 patients per nurse on duty.

DESCRIPTION:

Once a PWA passes away, that is the only time that the immediate family come over the hospital to claim their ashes or body . This is a common sight at the hospital. This is also the time when the bereaved family realizes that they have been remise in their responsibility of looking after their sick family member. They become very depressed and at a lost on how they can make up for their shortcomings. This is where counseling applies and at the same time health promotion and education is injected and motivation that it is never too late for them to be involved in any form of care and support.

RESULTS:

Orphaned families are the best persons to tap for any care and support component of a project. They are easily motivated especially those who wanted to make up for their shortcoming to a deceased PWA. The level of care and support varies. From bedside care to buddy system, errand and someone to talk to.