The Self Empowerment Training (SET) Program of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - AIDS Research Group (RITM-ARG) is based on the premise that the PLHIV’s have to be empowered to improve and or maintain their health by adopting a range of behaviors towards themselves, to family and society, to medications, to their health care providers and to the entire treatment process.
In order for people with HIV to best maintain their health it is advisable that they adopt a range of behaviors which include:
- being the principal caregiver for themselves
- engaging in day-to-day ‘illness work’ (this includes taking medications, managing treatment side effects, attending to their mental health and to lifestyle issues such as exercise, diet, drug and alcohol intake, etc.)
- changing behavior to improve symptoms and maintain, as far as possible, immune functioning
- working in partnership with treating doctors to make treatment decisions, maintain ongoing HIV monitoring and attend medical appointments, manage emotional responses to illness, treatment, and discrimination, and
- minimizing the risk of transmissible infections including HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
People with HIV have a pivotal role in assuming an active and informed role in managing the physical, psychological and social aspects of their HIV infection. Increasingly, models of care for people with chronic diseases like HIV have included formal programs which aim to enable people to manage their own health conditions in partnership with their health care providers. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that best practice involves educating and supporting patients to self manage their conditions to the greatest extent possible.
This coming month of March 2013, there will be five (5) training batches, 2 days of every weekend of training wherein doctors or health professionals will facilitate the training class composed of 15 PLHIV’s. Food and accommodations are given for free to the participants. Click this link for details:
What do people say about the Self Empowerment Training for PLHIV’s:
Timothy Ray Brown (The Berlin Patient), Founder, The Timothy Ray Brown Foundation of the World AIDS Institute:
"I believe that for those people who have been newly diagnosed with HIV, it is important for them to realize they are still good people. A self empowerment training like this one will give them the power and tools to overcome their diagnosis through education about HIV medication and also give them support to overcome their fears."
Noel E. Bordador, HIV/AIDS Social Worker, New York City:
"In my experience as a clinical social worker who works with people living with HIV, those who take charge of their health and treatment, i.e., proactive in adherence with medical and ART regimen and development of a healthy lifestyle (exercise, spirituality, a hopeful attitude) are able to live with the virus for a long time. I know many- clients and close friends who are living with the virus for over 25 years and they are able to maintain a well balanced life because of their commitment to self-care... Love yourself."
Malcolm Brown, International Contributor, Living with AIDS in the Philippines:
"Self empowerment is vital for anyone living with HIV. I witnessed self empowered PLWHAs in the 1980's in Sydney Australia, working in concert with others internationally, invent, and disseminated the safer sex, adherence to ARVs, early testing messages. These people are the ones who continue to do so. As a PLWHA myself over the last 11 years in I have personally undergone the experience and seen the difference self empowerment has made in others. PLWHAs who are self empowered develop an interactive relationship with their HIV Medical Specialist and other health care providers. By working in concert with these people a PLWHA is able to help them to help him/herself to live a more productive, healthier life. They/we also become life changers and world changers and it's a change for the better."
Elizabeth Navo, Project Assistant/Administrative Officer, RITM-ARG:
"The SET is a venue to air questions if you have any. It will help you develop skills to accept and cope with your situation and a chance to meet and bond with others."
JaKe Positive RN, A PLHIV; Peer Educator/HIV Counselor:
"Self Empowerment made me a stronger person. It helped me to deal with issues within myself as a PLHIV. Which resulted to increased self-esteem and better outlook in life. Every newly diagnosed PLHIV should try it."
PositiHIVe, A PLHIV, Philippine Contributor, Living with AIDS in Philippines:
"PLHIV’s should attend the SET because you get to meet new friends and will learn how to embrace your HIV status."
Humphrey T. Gorriceta, Master of Health Social Science;
Surveillance Assistant, National Epidemiology Center, Department of Health; Triton Dragon Boat Racing Team
"SET is important because it will not only help you appreciate life after HIV infection, but it will help you get back on track and set your priorities and goals.
It will give you the skills to manage and deal with things within your influence, and set aside (until it's time) those that beyond your circle of control.
I have graduated from my Self-Empowerment Training and I did not only found my self but I also found friends with in my SET batch.
You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. So there is no reason to say no when you've been invited to attend an SET. Visit your treatment hub (RITM) and find that pro-activeness in you to sign up to be part of a SET.
Self-empowerment Training helped me become the Humphrey T. Gorriceta I am now. And I can't thank those people who've been part of my life as a Person Living with HIV."
Lep Bulan, Volunteer HIV Counselor/Peer Educator/Group Facilitator/Events Officer:
"Self Empowerment training could be life changing if you let yourself loose and embrace everything the course has to offer. I had my dose of SET and it really changed my life's perspective. Months ago my co-counselors and I agreed that it will definitely help PLHIVs especially the newly diagnosed to move forward and enjoy life after hiv. Now that its being offered to them. I hope they find time to take advantage of the program."
PosAngel, A PLHIV; PLHIV Group Organizer:
"From the training name itself, self empowerment, it gives PLHIV’s the power to discover themselves. It makes us understand, that the virus should not define us as a person. It is our attitude and our personality that defines us and the way we treat other people. It is also a great opportunity to meet fellow PLHIV and to know that you are not alone in this “battle”. Other than self discovery and self-realization it is also about knowing your full potential as a person whether you are HIV positive or not.Plus the new friends and brotherhood that will be born out of it."
Ronnievinn Garcia Pagtakhan, President, The Love Yourself (TLY):
"Self Empowerment is all about you...
Knowing thyself is the key for us to explore our positive probabilities.
It helps us rediscover ourselves, appreciate and learn from our past, value our present.
In this training, aside from learning more about yourself, you also get to appreciate other people as well as you open your heart to views and experiences of different people with vast variety of stories to tell."
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
Ricky, A PLHIV:
"The self empowerment is not just about training it's about helping each other (hiv positive) hand in hand in fighting the disease we have.It's about moving forward into a new better life.This training will help you and understand you that there is more positivity in life even your a HIV positive.My colleagues back in the training were now my group of friends and we share lot's of insights and we do help each other when someone is in need of help and most of all share great friendship."
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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