V.E.S. Mobile Detection and Education Team Heads South
 Ed Thomas - PVNN
| | Thanks to the excellent coordination and work by Tomatlán COMUSIDA Coordinator Mrs. Estela Cortés, a health fair sponsored by the Aids Health Care Foundation, Vallarta Enfrenta el Sida, CAPASITS and the Jalisco Health Department on March 24th was a success. | |
On March 24, 2009 the V.E.S. team, in collaboration with CAPASITS, the Aids Health Care Foundation and the Jalisco Health Department, loaded into "Priscilla," (the VES mobile detection and education van,) along with their testing equipment and education material and condoms, to participate in "El Dia de Salud Para la Familia Tomatlan" (family health day.)
When the V.E.S. team participated in the Tomatlán Health Fair last June, they administered 92 HIV antibody rapid tests, so they were looking forward to another successful event.
The event was sponsored by many of the health organizations in Tomatlan and testing was conducted throughout the day for T.B., Diabetes, cholesterol, Blood pressure, reproductive health for women, osteoporosis, mammograms, and of course HIV antibodies. Also vaccines were administered to those needing them.
Because of the large turnout, HIV education and testing was split-up into two groups, with the adults going in the morning and the 12-17 year age group in the afternoon.
In the morning there were roughly 350-400 people in attendance for the education slide show about various ways of contracting HIV and ways of prevention, including demonstrations in the proper use of condoms both masculine and feminine. After the informational seminar and pre-testing counseling, 103 people took the rapid HIV test. Also literature, condoms and lubrication were provided to all in attendance.
In the afternoon session 120 people in the 12-17 age group attended. They also were given the same education and demonstrations as the adults received that morning, but due to their age they were not tested at this time.
All in all, it was a very successful and productive day. This would not have come about had it not been for the tremendous job done by Mrs. Estella Cortez, co-ordinator of COMUSIDA Tomatlan, who along with her volunteers made it possible for the VES team to have such a successful and productive day.
 Puerto Vallarta's HIV/AIDS non-profit organization, Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, and CAPASITS, work together to provide high-quality medical care, counseling and psychological support, education and prevention programs, and outreach to at-risk communities in the Banderas Bay area. For information, assistance, or to volunteer or donate, please visit VallartaEnfrentaSida.org. To learn more about VES, click HERE. |
Vallarta Weddings
Health & Beauty | March 2009 
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