When he told her his story, of how PGH didn't admit him and how a poz friend who previously attended the Self Empowerment Training (SET) conducted by RITM, recommended RITM for him to ask for help, Ate Beth said it really broke her heart. Unfortunately, the PLHIV got scared to be confined as he has no job and with unupdated PhilHealth. The doctor who checked him out said that the cost of his medicines would reach P9,000 per day. Scared about his bills, without asking anybody, he and his aunt left the hospital.
I asked Ate Beth if I can talk to the PLHIV last night. She asked permission first and good thing he agreed and in no time we were talking on the phone. I told "Mark" (not his real name), that the RITM-ARG staff are willing to help him if he can come back to the hospital. I told him that we have helped a lot of PLHIV's in the past and we sure will help him. He told me that he was worried about his PhilHealth membership as it is not updated. I told him to tell Ate Beth his problem so that they can help him fast. I told him that we will try to take care of it and that his priority should be his health. I told him that he needs to be treated as soon as possible. RITM-ARG links up with a foundation that supports PLHIV's with PhilHealth problems. He was worried too that his confirmatory is in PGH-SAGIP but I told him that Ate Beth will communicate with PGH-SAGIP about it. He was then became thankful and didn't know what to say. I told him that there are people who are willing to help him but he has to let them help him. I told him that once he is confined, we will do everything that we can to provide him with medical assistance.
This morning while waiting for the PLHIV, the staff of RITM-ARG are already getting the patients' medical abstract and completing all the requirements for the medical assistance for him. Fast!
I am proud to be an indirect part of this team who works miraculously with patients with HIV. The staff of RITM-ARG headed by Dr. Ditangco are people with good hearts who take an extra mile to give service to their patients. Their jobs don't end in their clinic but extend beyond it. They look for ways to help those who are needing and hopeless. They find ways to reach out to people.
What really is inspiring is that every PLHIV can be helped. It is a matter of finding good people who are willing to provide service and commitment to every PLHIV who is seeking for guidance and assistance.
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines