Conference on Volunteering of the Academe

The VPHCS sent a representative, Susana Lynsy Linao-Ardona, R.N. to join the 2012 National Conference on the Engagement of the Academe in Volunteering or NCEAV last December 6-7 at the Miriam College in Quezon City, Metro Manila.  

The activity brought together representatives of state universities and colleges, other higher education institutions, non-government organizations, national government agencies, local government units and the private sector to examine the role of the academe in nation-building, under the theme ‘Creating synergy. Charting new paths.’ 

The NCEAV is convened by Miriam College and VSO Bahaginan. It aims to understand the landscape of volunteering in the Philippines and how this relates to the role of the academe, examine fundamental and emerging issues about volunteering by the academe and to share good practice and case studies, create a community of practice and help build a stronger voluntary sector that recognizes the impact and value of volunteering. 

Lynsy presented the VPHCS two-decade experience on how it has mobilized members of the health academe, particularly, medical, medical technology, dental, and nursing students to volunteer and render health services in its community-based health programs. She discussed about various activities of volunteer health students including the Student Integration Program (SIP) held during semestral and summer breaks which brings health students to poor communities. VPHCS has also initiated formation of the Students’ Health Advocacy for Response and Empowerment (SHARE) in Cebu and the Students’ Alliance for Community Health (SACHS) in Bohol which organize community exposure programs and services in marginalized communities. 

The NCEAV featured exhibitors from organizations across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to showcase good practices and case studies in volunteering. Plenary and breakout sessions provided a wide range of learning covering topics on the engagement of the academe in volunteering.

Lynsy Linao-Ardona discusses about the VPHCS 

experience on volunteering of the health academe 

in its community-based health programs.

SHARE – USP nursing assembly held

A new set of officers was elected in an assembly of the Students for Health, Advocacy, Response and Empowerment (SHARE) – University of Southern Philippines – Foundation (USP) – Nursing College Chapter last August 26.

Elected officers were president, Heloise Dosdos; vice-president, Pearl Templado; secretary, Stanley Noel; treasurer, Franz Jibson; PRO, Maricel Fetiluna and Rubelyn Ursabi. They were sworn into office by VPHCS staff Dr. Erlinda Posadas.

Prior to the election, the members were given an orientation about SHARE by Jethamae Paglinawan, R.N., one of the pioneer members of SHARE, and current SHARE adviser.

SHARE pioneer member and adviser Jethamae Paglinawan speaks on SHARE principles to USP nursing students.

Oath taking of officers of SHARE - USP.

The SHARE is an organization of college students in health and health allied science courses which aims to develop social responsibility among students and harness their initiatives in responding to issues and problems affecting the country’s health care delivery system. Since its founding which was initiated by the VPHCS, the SHARE has provided venues for the students to discuss about current health issues, conducted community integration programs, and brought students to render health services in depressed communities.

Meanwhile, the VPHCS through its staff Dr. Erlinda Posadas also conducted an orientation about community-based health programs to members of the Total Outreach for Community Health (TORCH), a student organization of the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) last August 29. Members of the TORCH have for the past years been volunteers of the VPHCS in its various medical and outreach missions and has partnered with the VPHCS in several of its annual operation tuli (circumcision). The students who attended the orientation last August 29 were mostly first and second year medical students who promised to volunteer in future health services of VPHCS.

Dr. Erlinda Posadas (extreme right) gives CBHP orientatioin to TORCH members.

Operation tuli missions conducted

Nearly 500 boys were circumcised by staff and volunteers of the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) and other groups in three separate operation tuli missions this April.

The first operation tuli was held in Poblacion Baclayon, Bohol on April 22, sponsored by the VPHCS, the local government unit of the Municipality of Baclayon, the Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) in Bohol, and the Kabataan Party List. More than 180 boys from Baclayon availed of the services.



The second operation tuli was held in Barangay Bolinawan, Carcar City on April 24, held in coordination with the Total Outreach for Community Health (TORCH) of the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM), the Cebu Relief and Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (CRRC) and the local government unit of Carcar City. About 220 boys from Barangays Valencia, Buenavista , Calidngan and Bolinawan were circumcised by students and alumni of the CIM who are members of the TORCH.



The third operation tuli was held in the rural barangay of Mahagbu in the Municipality of Trinidad, Bohol on April 26. Youth from Trinidad together with staff members of the VPHCS served more than 60 boys. Blood sugar testing was also done.

VPHCS promotes community health awareness and involvement among students

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) has recently tapped more nursing and medical students in Cebu and Bohol in its continuing effort to involve health students in its community-based health programs and outreach medical missions.

In Cebu, the VPHCS has facilitated the formation of the Students for Health Advocacy, Response and Empowerment (SHARE), an organization of medical and health allied students committed to serve the communities. In Bohol, the Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) composed of nursing students in Tagbilaran City has continued to join VPHCS in its outreach medical missions.

SHARE Batch 2012- USPF Chapter was formed in March 25, 2010 after 25 students who were given an orientation of SHARE showed interest to pursue its objectives. An election of officers of the chapter was also conducted. Its first activity was a community outreach program in Sitio Back of Matimco, Subangdako, Mandaue City last April 9, 2010. Fifteen members of the chapter gave a health education class on hand washing to 30 children who were beneficiaries of the ongoing feeding program in the sitio. The students also took the blood pressure of the residents.

In Bohol, SACHS members recently joined an operation tuli sponsored by the VPHCS and the local government unit of Baclayon on April 22.