by Dani G. Ortega, CHS | Dec 02 2024
Dr. Neil Madulara Martin, MAN, RN, MBE of the College of Health Sciences, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) on November 19, 2024 was the sole guest speaker in a Knowledge and Awareness Seminar on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) held at the Indonesian Embassy in Makati, Manila and implemented by the Tim Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (FK-UNDIKSHA) in collaboration with MSU-IIT.
The seminar directed by the acting Education and Culture Attaché, Drs. Mudzakir M.A. was done through Interactive Feeding at KBRI Manila as part of the implementation of the International Service to Community (PKM) Program of the Ganesha University of Education (FK-UNDIKSHA) Faculty of Medicine Team.
As guest speaker for the Community Service Program (PKM), Dr. Martin led a session on HIV (HIV Screening, PrEP, and HIV Treatment) and STIs, with a focus on HIV and STI prevention and the relevant regulations in the Philippines.
The seminar which also featured speakers from FK-UNDIKSHA aimed to strengthen efforts for appropriate and effective prevention and handling, and provided information on increasing knowledge and understanding of HIV and (STIs) among the embassy staff, had 17 participants including the Homestaff of the Indonesian Embassy.
It also provided an opportunity to reach other Indonesian Embassy staff members and Indonesian citizens living abroad who can greatly benefit from the health education initiative by raising awareness on the importance of prevention, early detection, and management of HIV and STIs through informative and interactive counseling.
The event also provided the prospect of future collaboration between the institutions, as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) drafts were also submitted by the Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha for agreement, that aimed to formalize the collaboration particularly in the areas of community service and research which can be mutually beneficial, and help strengthen international partnerships in health education.