PHO Sarangani completes its IPCC Roll-out for HSPs and BHWs
Mahintana Foundation, Inc. was tapped by the University Research Co., LLC (URC) as their Local Replicating Agency (LRA) for Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces to implement the USAID-funded HealthPRO- Behavior Change 
Communication Project piloting four the (4) municipalities of Sarangani and six (6) municipalities of South Cotabato. It is also worth noting that Sarangani Province is comprised of a number of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) such as the Tbolis, Bla-ans, Maguindanaons, etc.
As part of enhancing the Inter-Personal Communication and Counseling (IPCC) skills of the frontline Health Service Providers (HSPs) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), the IPCC Training Team of Sarangani Province has completed the conduct of its HealthPRO-funded IPCC Skills Training for Health Service Providers (HSPs) and) for the priority LGUs of Malungon, Malapatan, Maasim and Maitum in the following schedules: March 1-3, 2010 IPC/C Skills Training for HSPS; and for BHWs and CHVs on March 9-11, 2010 for Malungon; April 6-8, 2010 for Malapatan; April 12-14, 2010 for Maasim and May 12-14 for Maitum.
This training course presents IPC/C as a core strategy for facilitating behavior change among clients leading to the attainment of desired program outcomes. With this, a total of 22 HSPs and 125 BHWs/CHVs from four (4) identified municipalities were trained. Further, the Provincial Government of Sarangani, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) has committed to fund some of the succeeding IPC/C roll-outs for the remaining municipalities of Sarangani.
During these trainings, Ms. Ligaya Paham, the Provincial Health Team Leader (PHT) presents the Provincial Health Situation while the nurses of the respective municipalities also discuss their current municipal performance. Both presentations are contributory to the current health situation of the province. Brief workshops are also conducted to help determine the participants’ perceptions about the factors contributory to the provincial and municipal health performance.
The training for HSPs lasted for three (3) days while the IPC Skills Training for BHWs lasted for two (2) days. The said training includes modules on Inter-Personal Communication; Behavior Change; One-to-One Communication and Group Communication. It also includes topics on Applied IPCC on Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition, (MNCHN) and Family Planning. (S
arangani is a TBLINC Area). To ensure higher level of skills enhancement among participants, a number of role paying sessions, triads, return demonstration and Structured Learning Exercises (SLEs) were undertaken. An Action Planning session was also made part of the workshop. In effect, the training participants expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity given to them to join the IPCC Skills Training.
Other members of the IPCC Training Team who served during these workshops are: Ms. Cornelia Baldelovar, HEPO; Ms. Josefina Mosqueda, DOH Rep; Ms. Ligaya Paham, PHTL; Engr. Ruben Pelones; Ms. Tessie Castillo; Ms. Mary Luzviminda T. Herezo, MFI (Project Coordinator); Mr. Allen S. Terencio, MFI (Project Officer); Ms. Bernadette T. Undangan, MFI (Project Officer); Mr. Nicolas Ledesma, Secretariat (MFI Project Officer).
Dayluz R. Tagle-Herezo
Contributor
