Email 86: "Is HIV Treatment Expensive?"
Posted by Pozziepinoy on 9:52 PM
Hi Pozziepinoy,
I stumbled upon your blog last night and I thank god for people like you.
I tested positive sometime ago, I found out incidentally after I applied for a loan which required me to have the test. I could not believe it as I am completely healthy. I threw and burned the paper carrying the bad news. I was in denial but was never at peace. I am still healthy but I'd like to get treated if it's the way to deal with this.
My question is, is it expensive ? Baka kasi I can't afford it, I may be able to buy a few tablets in the beginning pero baka I may not be able to sustain the cost.
Next question is, is the treatment available also in RITM ? Kasi sana I want to do it as discreetly as possible .
Next question is, is the treatment available also in RITM ? Kasi sana I want to do it as discreetly as possible .
Thank you very much in advance. God bless you always
XXX
POZZIEPINOY'S REPLY
Hi XXX,
Thank you for your email. I am glad that you stumbled upon my blog.
A few PLHIV's that I have previously talked to also experienced what you had experienced, that is, getting tested because it was a requirement of some sort. Like you, they were shocked too because the HIV test result came out positive. However, I was able to convince them to go to the HIV treatment hub of their choice so that they can be given consultation by the HIV doctor and to know the status of their health and immune system. All of them are doing well now, most are taking ARV's and I am still monitoring their health from time to time.
Regarding your question, HIV treatment per se is not expensive since in the different government treatment hubs in the country, the antiretroviral meds (ARV's) and HIV doctor consultations are free. Most of the hospital, under the Out-Patient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) package of PhilHealth, even the laboratory tests including the CD4 are free.
So how can treatment be expensive? It is only when you got diagnosed late or neglected your status and you come to the HIV treatment hubs with infections brought about by weakened immune system.
Some patients will have to succumb the financial burden brought about by hospitalization bills, labs and medications because of their infections. If you have read my history, I spent almost P500,000 because of my bibasal pneumonia and pneumocystiis pneumonia when I was hospitalized and treated in a private hospital, a year ago. I was one of those who was late diagnosed and I was tested for HIV when I was already confined.
You have a better chance to do the right thing here. My advice to you is to get a grip of yourself, have courage and go to the treatment hub of your choice. If you still have a copy of your confirmatory result, please bring it as it is a requirement for admission in the hub.
You asked about RITM and if treatment is being given there and the answer is yes. RITM-ARG in Alabang provides free lab tests, free HIV treatment and free consultation with HIV specialists. The staff are all professionals so you don't have to worry about anything.
I hope I was able to answer your question. Feel free to email me again if you have other concerns.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
Hi XXX,
Thank you for your email. I am glad that you stumbled upon my blog.
A few PLHIV's that I have previously talked to also experienced what you had experienced, that is, getting tested because it was a requirement of some sort. Like you, they were shocked too because the HIV test result came out positive. However, I was able to convince them to go to the HIV treatment hub of their choice so that they can be given consultation by the HIV doctor and to know the status of their health and immune system. All of them are doing well now, most are taking ARV's and I am still monitoring their health from time to time.
Regarding your question, HIV treatment per se is not expensive since in the different government treatment hubs in the country, the antiretroviral meds (ARV's) and HIV doctor consultations are free. Most of the hospital, under the Out-Patient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) package of PhilHealth, even the laboratory tests including the CD4 are free.
So how can treatment be expensive? It is only when you got diagnosed late or neglected your status and you come to the HIV treatment hubs with infections brought about by weakened immune system.
Some patients will have to succumb the financial burden brought about by hospitalization bills, labs and medications because of their infections. If you have read my history, I spent almost P500,000 because of my bibasal pneumonia and pneumocystiis pneumonia when I was hospitalized and treated in a private hospital, a year ago. I was one of those who was late diagnosed and I was tested for HIV when I was already confined.
You have a better chance to do the right thing here. My advice to you is to get a grip of yourself, have courage and go to the treatment hub of your choice. If you still have a copy of your confirmatory result, please bring it as it is a requirement for admission in the hub.
You asked about RITM and if treatment is being given there and the answer is yes. RITM-ARG in Alabang provides free lab tests, free HIV treatment and free consultation with HIV specialists. The staff are all professionals so you don't have to worry about anything.
I hope I was able to answer your question. Feel free to email me again if you have other concerns.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines
