THE REMEDIOS AIDS HOTLINE

The Remedios AIDS Hotline received a total of 14,377 actual calls for the year 2000 which is relatively higher compared to that of 1999 (14,111). However, seventy-eight percent (78%) of these calls were from the 11-25 age group.

For the year 1999, the Remedios AIDS Hotline received a total of 14,111 actual calls which was evidently higher compared to the preceding years of its existence. Fifty three percent (53%) of callers are male while the remaining forty seven (47%) are female callers. A total of 6,678 callers were with sexual risk exposure and condom use rate is 5 %. In lieu of mainstreaming Reproductive Health, thorough solicitation of related concerns were highly motivated among counselors to aid in strengthening the component.

In 1999, about 62 % of age group 15-25 were hotline callers. Still, the need to provide youth friendly services that are accessible, affordable and available is a must. Thus, Remedios AIDS Foundation through its UNFPA-Ted Turner funds started an innovative project on April 1999 called the Youth Zone which is a shopping mall-based youth center.

RESOURCE CENTER

An Assistant Librarian was transacted by Remedios AIDS Foundation to specifically work on the Management Information System (MIS) of resource materials. To date, around 530 book titles and 120 journals relating to Reproductive Health in general were accessioned.

TRAINING CENTER

As a training facility, the Center has generously shared the venue for activity conduction of other NGOs like that of the HIV/AIDS Network, Names Project Philippines, Pinoy Plus Association and The Library Foundation among others. Various organizations were also provided for with technical assistance on trainings and workshops concerning Reproductive Health. Four staff member have attended training internationally in the following field/areas:

• Dr Sescon has attended two trainings conducted by the John Hopkins University Center for Communication Program (JHU-CCP) on :
  • "Advances in Health Communication and Advocacy " held at Baltimore, Maryland, USA
  • "Strategic Leadership Management on Population and RH" held at Tagaytay City
• Ms. Grace Binay Devara has attended John Hopkins University Center for Communication Program (JHU-CCP) "Youth First": Workshop held at baltimore Maryland, USA
• Ms. Nenet Ortega and Mr. Eric Malabanan has attended the Care and Suport Workshop held at Australian through Richard Gardner "Pasasalamat Fund"

Through these initiatives, staff member gained new learnings in helping them out, come up with new program at Remedios AIDS Foundation upon their return.

Ted Turner-United Nations Population Fund Project   The Ted Turner-UNFPA funded project entitled "Strengthening the Implementation of the Remedios Expanded Reproductive Health Program Targeting the Youth and the Workplace" has successfully conducted a total of five (5) Regional Workshops in partnership with the Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP) and with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP). Hence, a total of 123 participants were trained as peer educators and were constantly monitored in the course of implementing Reproductive Health activities within their respective workplaces.

The following table illustrates the breakdown of the regional workshops conducted for the year 1999:

PARTNER AGENCIES	VENUE / DATE	PARTICIPANTS
OHNAP	Olongapo City (17-19 April)	25
TUCP	Ormoc, Leyte (20-22 July)	25
TUCP	Davao City (16-18 August)	30
TUCP	Cebu City (01-03 September)	28
TUCP	Metro Manila (05-07 September)	15
TOTAL		123

Furthermore, Remedios has conducted three (4) Post Graduate Courses among Remedios-trained peer educators in the workplace. Topics focused on Gynecologic Cancers, Abortion, Gender Responsive Approaches to Reproductive Health and Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace.

The 3rd Annual Peer Educators' Convention was held last 19 November 1999 at the Bayview Park Hotel attended by 70 participants. This year's Peer Educator of the Year is Ms Marilou Mendiola (Philacor) while Remedios judged Tutuban Properties as the Company of the Year 1999.

In the field of Adolescent Reproductive Health, the Youth Zone, a shopping mall-based youth center, was launched last 16 April 1999. Located at the second level of Tutuban Center Mall II, Divisoria Manila. This is the first Asia Pacific shopping mall-based youth center that provides innovative informational services to age group 10-24 years. YZ services include face-to-face counseling, alternative educational activities (i.e. like board games, play station, film showing), resource center and its program highlight is the IRC (Internet Relay Chat) Counseling which to date reaches a total of 1547 chat counseling clients. A total of 1636 youth clients availed various services of YZ. YZ has conducted a Trainers' Training Workshop among which seven (7) young people as peer coordinators/ facilitators. Training participants were aged 13-16.

Facilitated Work Placement Programme (FWPP) with Philippine NGOs Working on HIV/AIDS   The United Nations Development Programme has conducted the Facilitated Work Placement Programme with Philippine NGOS working on HIV/AIDS through the support of the Mongolian-based sub-regional HIV/AIDS project, the "Support to Development of an Effective Prevention Strategy for HIV in the countries of North-east Asia." The FWPP has been designed for implementation to help in strengthening the capacity of NGOs working on HIV/AIDS in Northeast Asia to promote and increase the involvement of vulnerable and affected communities in the response to HIV/AIDS. Thus, it is part of a comprehensive capacity building effort, entailing programme and policy reviews, piloting of new approaches, sharing lessons learned, and follow-up activities over the next two to three years.

Remedios was the "Host NGO Coordinator" for this event held between May to June 1999 with 7 participants coming from Mongolia, China and Korea. Technical assistance were sought from various Philippine agencies, both government and nongovernment organizations for possible replication of the participants upon return. Training was conducted in Manila and Davao City.

Clinica Remedios: A Model Community HIV/AIDS/STD Clinic Targeting Freelance Sex Workers in the Tondo Community   Funded by the Philippine Australian Community Assistance Program (PACAP), the Clinica Remedios primarily caters its services to freelance sex workers in Tondo, Manila. For the past three years of operation, Clinica Remedios has successfully gained its popularity within its vicinity and was then recognized as a facility where holistic medical services can be availed at a sudsidized rate. Total number of clients served for 1999 are as follow:

Total number of patients	2,343
Gneral Public	404
Sex Workers	1,022
MSM	36
Contact Tracing	79
STD Cases	802

Clinica Remedios services include STD consultation and treatment, pregnancy tes, prenatal check-up, Papsmear, Family Planning consultation, counseling, HIV Antibody Testing, lectures/ seminars/ filmshowing/ focus group discussions/ IEC development on HIV/AIDS/STDs and Reproductive Health, medical consultations and check-up.

Expanding Clinica Remedios Health Laboratory Facility as an HIV/AIDS/STD Testing Clinic   Through the generous financial support of the Direct Aid Program-Australian Embassy, the Clinica Remedios was able to expand its services by establishing a laboratory facility within its clinic premises. Basic laboratory services such as gram staining, KOH smear, wet mount for STD screening can be conducted. Like its many other medical services, laboratory fees are made at affordable rates.

Improving the Quality of Services and Programs of the Remedios AIDS Foundation   RAF has received a funding grant from the Embassy of Japan last March 1997 in terms of upgrading its office and audiovisual facilities for the conduct of its various programs.

An outreach van has been purchased and has greatly facilitated its community outreach activities both local and out of town. Thus with these requirements, Remedios has been able to maintain its quality standards of service delivery.

LECTURES

Basic lectures on Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS, STDs and Family Planning. A total of fifty-eight (58) lectures and symposia were provided for to different schools, agencies and communities as well.

COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES

A total of four hundred nineteen (419) individuals walked-in and were referred to by the hotline for face-to-face counseling. 80 % of counselees are males. Most common exposure is unprotected vaginal intercourse.

Remedios has continuosly supported PHIV/PWA individuals in achieving quality life. Continous consultation are being conducted with them to validate their presenting issues/ concerns. Support services of Remedios were as follows: capability building- to become trainer/advocate of the field,"return to work" oppurtunities, referral medical/obstetrical care and treatment, burial asistance to PHIV/PWAs in coordination with the Kaagapay Support Group, Funeraria Oro and DSWD. Much learnings has been gained on these initial initiatives and indeed worth building on in the near future.

HIV ANTIBODY TESTING

Out of the four hundred nineteen (419) face-to-face counselees received, a total of one hundred thirty-two (132) people underwent HIV Antibody Testing. Clients were provided pre and post-test counseling accordingly.

MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION

For its new project under Ted Turner-UNFPA which was the Youth Zone, Remedios was able to produce a total of 20,000 new informational pack materials. Also, three hundred (300) danglers and leaflets/ flyers were produced and distributed during its inauguration to promote the Youth Zone.

Remedios has also revised and uploaded its webpage last June 1999. Website address is www.remedios.com.ph

ADVOCACY

Three (3) among Remedios staff members were fortunate to attend the 2nd International AIDS Summit held in San Francisco, California USA. The aforementioned was an exchange of learnings and experiences of Filipino communities in the United States in terms of implementing HIV/AIDS prevention and care strategies. This meeting has further strengthened the commitment of RAF to start "care services" in the Philippines that is culture specific.

NETWORKING

Remedios has continued its networking with various organizations both locally and internationally. Remedios is an affiliated of the following agencies: HIV/AIDS Network , Fil Health Advocacy Network of Northern California and Names Project Philippines. Remedios has also continued its existing partnerships with the Bureau of Research and Laboratories (BRL) for free HIV Antibody Testing as well as with the STD/AIDS Central Cooperative Laboratory (SACCL) for subsidized STD laboratory services. The Remedios AIDS Hotline has expanded its networks and as follows:

NETWORK AGENCIES	FIELD OF REFERRING
Bantay Bata	Child Abuse / Labor / Exploitation
Center for Family Ministry (CEFAM)	Family Concern
Children Laboratory Fund	Child Abuse/Labor/Exploitation
Crisis Line	Emotional Problem (e.g love,family, etc)
Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)	Family Planning Concern
Heart of Mary Villa for pregnant women	unwed mother
Welcome House	unwed mother and prostituted women
Kaagapay Support Group for PLWHAs	People Living with HIV/AIDS
Kabalikat drop in Center	Violence Against Women (VAW)
New Beginnings Foundation	Drug Addiction
ECPAT	Child Abuse / Labor / Exploitation
Women Legal Bureau	Women's Legal Concern
Manila out	a gay organization
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)	labor union
Women's Crisis Center	Violnce Against Women (VAW)

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Remedios has auspiciously been a beneficiary of the advanced screening of "Entrapment" and "Patch Adams" which were organized by the diversity@gaypinoy Organization and Hagiazo.

Youth Zone organized its "1st Dance Revolution Contest" last 03 December 1999 in celebration of World AIDS Day with a theme "Listen,Learn,Live" focusing on the youth as prime mover. The celebration which was participated in by forty-six (46) young people coming from different schools and communities within Metro Manila. This was a well attended activity held at Bonifacio Monument Tutuban Center Mall Divisorsia Manila. Project partners are DOH-AIDS Unit, Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), HIV/AIDS Network (HAN),HIV/AIDS Information Network (HAIN), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). One of the highlights was the: "Pamaskong Regalo Para sa Bata" where various Christmas goodies were distributed among the audience especially to the children.

Remedios, in coordination with the Names Project Philippines, finally launched the "Lotus Ceremony". The activity involves the unveiling of the Filipino AIDS Quilt conducted by the PNP cadets. The events has proven to be a very moving experiences to the audience when names of people who died of AIDS were called upon.

EPILOGUE