04/12/2025
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ค๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ค๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ข๐ด๐ต ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ณ 14, 2025
The event commenced with an opening prayer led by Ms. Ma. Jolina Taduran, Nursing Attendant, followed by warm welcome remarks from Dr. Marivic O. Bumalay-Cordero, MD, DPDS, Medical Specialist III and Head of the Bicol Skin Clinic. Her message set an encouraging and collaborative atmosphere for the dayโs activities.
The program officially began with an insightful presentation from Ms. Lilian Rose Contessa Encisa, RMT, Regional Leprosy Coordinator, who discussed the current landscape of the Leprosy Program in both the Philippines and the Bicol region. This was followed by an inspiring message from Dr. Monrey Isaiah Mancilla, Medical Officer IV and PHU Head of the Department of Health โ Center for Health and Development Bicol, motivating participants to continue advocating for patients affected by the disease.
An essential part of the session highlighted the psychosocial needs of leprosy patients through a lecture on Mental Health delivered by Dr. Napoleon Arevalo, MD, MPH, former Regional Director of DOH-Bicol. His valuable insights emphasized the importance of holistic and compassionate care.
Before proceeding to the election of officers, an engaging introduction activity took place where participants shared their celebrity look-alikes, helping build rapport and fostering a light-hearted and friendly environment.One of the key highlights of the event was the establishment and election of officers for the newly formed support group. During the open forum, former leprosy patients shared powerful testimonies of their journey to recoveryโstories of hope, resilience, and overcoming stigmaโfurther strengthening the collective mission of the group.
The participants later consolidated their ideas and officially adopted the name ๐-๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น for their support group. They also agreed on several operational strategies and future initiatives, including:
๐Implementing a ๐ณ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ and ๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐๐ฟ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ for leprosy patients.
๐Conducting regular โ๐ธ๐๐บ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ต๐ฎ๐ปโ or assembly meetings on the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month of each year.
๐Providing ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐, especially to newly diagnosed patients.
๐Enhancing ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ with members serving as advocates and testifiers.
๐Working towards establishing a ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ณ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ for group financial assistance.
๐Organizing their ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ as a newly formed support group.
The program was seamlessly facilitated by Mr. Jomel R. Maralit, Nurse II, who served as the master of ceremonies. To close the event, Dr. Claudette Pearl De Leon, Medical Officer III, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the commitment and enthusiasm of the participants, reinforcing the importance of collective action in improving the lives of leprosy patients.