Program Principles and Strategies

MULTISECTORAL TASKING

The program has benefited from the resources and skills brought by members of the different agencies and sectors. The downside of having a large membership, in Provincial AIDS Council for instance, is greatly superseded by the advantages they bring in terms of new contacts, resources, and fresh ideas. HIV/AIDS is everyone’s concern and should rightly elicit a multi-sectoral response.


PROGRAM PARTNERS, NOT BENEFICIARIES

The HIV/AIDS Program of Aklan does not have beneficiaries, only partners. PLHAs (People Living with HIV/AIDS) do not just receive services and medicines but are recruited as information providers. After attending trainings, students and out-of-school youths are asked to volunteer during campaigns and events, like World AIDS Day. Health Service Providers and representatives of agencies receive trainings but are consequently tapped as resource persons in trainings and orientations.


SOCIAL MARKETING

Social marketing is a concept whereby a commodity is sold not by itself alone, but with accompanying services like counseling and information. This is to ensure that when a person avails of a commodity, he will understand what it really is, its correct use, and why he should be consistent in saying. In social marketing, the gain is not measured in terms of how many commodities/services (condoms, pills, STI/HIV testing) has been return-of-investment is measured not in terms of how many packs of condoms but whether where demand has been generated.


RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT

The program adheres to the practice of results-based management which looks at the impact, rather than the activity. It sees the end result not in terms of how many activities have been conducted or how many were reached, but whether the desired change has been effected or manifested.


BEHAVIOR CHANGE AS THE END GOAL

All activities and projects are geared towards bringing about behavior change. The focus on transforming beliefs, modifying behavior, and altering practices ensures that the participants

PROGRAM PRINCIPLES

INCLUSIVE

The program is for everybody because everybody is vulnerable. The services are provided regardless of creed, color, status, gender, and even geographical base. The program serves even non-Aklanons who seeks access to the services. We have HIV positive persons from other regions availing of HIV testing in Aklan.


COMMUNITY-BASED

Access is brought to the people by making the services community-based. HIV testing is available not only in the capital town of Kalibo, but in the Health Center of Malay. A Satellite Social Hygiene Clinic was put up in Boracay to bring the services closer to the people. In addition, prevention education is brought to community schools through school-based orientations. Information work targets people’s organizations including fisher folk, farmers, out-of-school youth, and couples.


EMPOWERING

The program does not have “beneficiaries” but partners. Program schemes have been developed whereby those served by the program-PLHAs, commercial sex workers and other vulnerable groups-are recruited as information givers in return for the services they receive. We believe that when people own the program, they become more responsible and accountable for their health and actions.


INTEGRATED

The HIV/AIDS program services are comprehensive and integrated. It has gone beyond education and moved towards the provision of concrete services in the area of care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. We provide for a holistic approach to people living with HIV/AIDS because it is what quality health care should be.