AdZU College Guidance and Counseling Office and NADA Philippines provide free acupuncture detoxification to survivors of conflict in Zamboanga City
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University College Guidance and Counseling Office in partnership with NADA Philippines provided free NADA protocol ear acupuncture services to the survivors of the man-made and natural disasters in Zamboanga City. Fifteen participants from the different university offices and other partners – Katilingban para sa Kalambuan, Espinola Sisters, Office of the City Social Welfare and Development – were given a training on December 2-7, 2013. The training and acupuncture sessions were given at the Carlos Dominguez Hall, Fr Eusebio Salvador SJ Campus. The Php 5,000.00 registration fee was covered by the trainees’ respective organizations. AdZU covered the fare and accommodation of the 12 clinicians from NADA Philippines.
1044 clients were served during the supervised treatment. Among them were the 97 hostage survivors, ADZU employees and students, 170 IDPs at the Zamboanga City High School Main, staff of the DSWD and OCSWD, 108 IDPs at Don Gregorio Evangelista Memorial School, and IDPs at Zamboanga National High School west. Each ADS (Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist) Trainee was required to serve 30 patients under the supervision of an ADS trainer.
On Dec. 7, 2013 during the closing ceremony, all 15 participants graduated from the training and received their certificates, given by NADA Philippines represented by its Vice President Ms. Ma. Elisa F. Esguerra-Bermio, as Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists. Ms Esguerra-Bermio is also a Psychologist, Addictions Counselor, member of the Recovery Circle Foundation, and an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist.
The primary goals of this project are to equip training participants with knowledge, skills and attitudes (ethics and principles) relevant to the practice of the NADA Ear Acupuncture Protocol which serves as a complementary modality of detoxification for drug and other substance abuse, stress and trauma, depression and anxiety and other behavioral health issues. In addition it also aims to engender commitment from the participants to continue providing ear acupuncture in their respective organizations and communities.
