Free for First Timers!

I recently assisted a new poz, "Believer" to get all his lab tests and CD4 done in RITM-ARG. At first, I thought that he had to pay for everything. I asked Ms. Maram how much money he should bring for all the tests and she said around P8,000 is enough for all the tests, except for the viral load. Well, I told Believer to bring P10,000 just in case.

We were communicating that day he went there. I made him look for Ms. Maram or Ate Ellen or Ranz. Maram was out so Ranz assisted him. Believer said that Ranz even looked for him. Around lunch time, he was done and he went back to Quezon City for a meeting. Believer said that he didn't pay anything because he was first time patient in the hub. Wow! He also said that he would get his CD4 result at 2pm that day. Another wow!

This is what I like about RITM-ARG. They know that the CD4 count is important that they have to rush it. Imagine, you can get the result on the same day! Other hubs don't do that. Instead, you have to wait for weeks! They also know that the initial lab tests are necessary so everything is done fast and for free for the first timers in the hub. This is so good especially for all the new pozzies who have just been shocked about their status and who are financially incapable to pay for all the lab tests.

Kudos to Dra.Ditangco and her staff. Dealing wit HIV/AIDS gets better and easier when people with gold hearts surround you!