POGS, Sanofi-Aventis launch AHIP comics
POGS Panay AHIP Committee Chairmans together with
Drs Ross Cabado, Zaida Gamila and Rosendo Roque
Adolescent Health Issues and Perspectives (AHIP) Comics was launched by the PHILIPPINE OBSTETRICAL and GYNECOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Inc in cooperation with sanofi-aventis, on April 22, 2008, at Esca's Garden Restaurant.
The comics addresses problems regarding adolescent health care and issues that are associated to the life of a growing teenager. It is the society's purpose to prevent the rising cases of teenage pregnancy through awareness and proper information dissemination. With the youth as the main addressee, POGS adopted the strategic information medium purpose of the "Kalasag Komiks Project," envisioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ( this wasn't mentioned – please delete if possible), for their campaign. The society proposed and formulated a school-based module to teach teenagers about responsible sexuality and appropriate adolescent sexual behavior.
POGS Negros Occidental Chapter
Topics contained in the comics are: Adolescent Health and Development; Myths and Misconceptions About Sex; The Risk Takers; Guidance and Interventions; and Feminine Hygiene.
Aside from the launching, the night was also for the induction of the AHIP Coordinators for Region VI. The inducting officer was Dr. Ma. Corazon Zaida Gamilla, POGS president for 2008.
The event was punctuated by the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between POGS and sanofi-aventis, represented by POGS 'Dr. Gamilla and Dr. Rosendo Roque, AHIP project Coordinator and sanofi-aventis' Penn Policarpio, Arla Ampil and Prince Dumaran and Alvin Miranda..
Induction of different chapters
A welcome remark for the program was given by Dr. Rafael Roseller Cabado, POGS director for Region VI. He mentioned that the program is a part of the series of activities that the society has planned in connection to their three-day conference. While Dr. Gamilla said that the program is more of a fellowship to a higher degree rather than a convention. She further stated that the society should focus on what they have and what they attempt to have for the effectiveness of their objectives. She also called for a continuous commitment of the members to their projects, especially to AHIP, their long term program.
"Like a fine gemstone, a diamond takes some years for refinement…" Dr. Gil Gonzalez, chairperson of the Committee on Women's Reproductive Health Advocacy, said in his cordial message, likening AHIP to a diamond.