September 2008

Tour of Hope Philippines

The Tour of Hope (TTOH) is an international non-profit initiative, composed of like-minded individuals who regularly set up biking tours as a charity project to help in fund raising efforts and awareness campaigns for the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network Program. The primary objective of this undertaking is to raise awareness through education and information campaign to support the prevention and control of cervical cancer in the Philippines and other Asian developing communities. There would be two “Tours of Hope” this year, 2008. The first one is a 5 day tour from September 13 to 17, 2008 which starts in Vigan and ends in Subic Bay. The other will be a 15-day tour in Thailand which will be held this November. Likewise, a series of lay fora entitled, “Going the X-tra Mile to X Out Cervical Cancer” will be held in each stop involving members of Department of Health and Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. The chosen beneficiary of the Philippine TTOH event will be the Cancer Institute Foundation in support of CECAP-Philippines. The event is a joint project of Bravehearts, CECAP, GlaxoSmithKline Philippines, Campaigns PR Inc. and in strategic partnership with Team David’s Salon. Team David’s Salon is the Philippine’s first all-women multi-sport team, dedicated in promoting sports, at the same time, sharing a passion for health and wellness. To learn more about The Tour of Hope, visit their website, www.thetourofhope.com. To participate in this event, email ttoh_phil@yahoo.com. To be a sponsor for this event, visit www.cifphil.org. VIEW POSTER

June 2008

Supervisory Sitre Visits

This June 2008, the CECAP Management Team (CMT) visited the pilot sites for their regular monitoring and evaluation visit.

The knowledge and skills of the service providers on cryotherapy were measured as they were tasked to answer a 30 point quiz and do a demonstration on performing the aforementioned procedure. Likewise, they were given images of cervices in the usual image assessment test given to them every visit. Likewise, constructive open forum were conducted to allow the CMT to address issues and concerns faced by the providers of the CECAP sites.

In addition, the CMT met with the different LGU of the different sites, as well as other concerned non-government agencies to finalize the Memorandum of Agreement at each site, ensuring annual budget for the operation of the CECAP clinic for 5 years. Strategic planning was also undertaken during these meetings.

For the first time, the CMT met with the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) which have been trained by the CECAP Program. A short quiz on cervical cancer was given which was followed by a comprehensive feedback. Also, the BHWs were given the chance to present their accomplishments and most of them have encouraged a large number of women to seek screening in the health centers. Some have also conducted lectures on cervical cancer. And it is notable that the BHWs of Taytay, Rizal have started listing approximately 2,000 women within the 25 to 45 year old bracket which is required of each pilot site. Most commendable are the BHWs from Minglanilla who have already completed their survey, with 10,228 women belonging to the target age bracket.

The monitoring visit in Cagayan de Oro was facilitated by a CECAP Certified Trainer and Regional Director of CECAP Northern Mindanao, Dr. Ruth Semilla-Beltran.

The next supervisory visit is scheduled this August, for which the CMT is set out to visit the expansion sites in Muntinlupa, and in Taytay. The CECAP sites in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro will be monitored and evaluated this September 2008.

May 2008

DOH Launch of Policy Statement 



Babae, Mahalaga Ka



The Department of Health (DOH) celebrated the month of May as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the Philippines. In collaboration with CECAP, they held a press conference on May 12, 2008 with a theme, “Babae, Mahalaga Ka” which emphasizes the significance of a woman in the lives of everyone. In addition, it was also during the event that the policy statements for the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in the Philippines were presented in the public. This is another milestone for the CECAP program given that several months ago, members of CECAP Committee on Policy and Guidelines had proposed amendments to the existing DOH policy on cervical cancer prevention and control, which is Administrative Order 2005-006. It was from the recommended revisions that the policy statements were based.

For full copy of the policy statements, please refer to Policy and Guidelines. During the presentation, DOH has supported the method of linking VIA screening to treatment using cryotherapy in a single visit approach (SVA). The DOH Assistant Secretary, Dr. Elmer Punzalan, presented that SVA (VIA, cryotherapy, counseling) will be performed by trained doctors who have the competency requirements. Trained nurses and midwives can also do the procedure under the supervision of the trained doctor. 

This event also gathered together CECAP steering Committee members led by the Department of Health. Other partners who are part of the CECAP Network Alliance came and supported the said initiative.