Friday, October 5, 2012

Medical Assistance from PCSO

We have to face the fact that when we don't pay attention to our health, we will later be compounded with medical bills that may shock us. Of course to avoid this is for us to always get a check up when we initially feel something brewing in our body.

HIV is an illness that when left unattended can impact us big time. When the immune system becomes very weak caused by the virus, our bodies will be attacked by different infections usually uncommon to normal individuals. As a result, we will be spending a lot for more lab tests, medicines and even hospitalization which could drain our finances. That is why it is really advised by health professionals to know the HIV status as soon as possible if one thinks that he or she is exposed to the virus. Knowing the HIV status will further determine through lab tests the level of the immune system. Sometimes, the person is already so sick with infections before taking the HIV test and this is one reason why the illness becomes so expensive.

A lot of people have been asking me for financial and or medical assistance, where to get it and how to get it. People have been asking about The Love Fund (TLF) for assistance. However, TLF is just a small donation-based entity and it just supports the minimum, basic needs of patients. Also the beneficiaries are coming from RITM-ARG since the entire staff of the treatment hub is part of the screening of patients who will be given assistance. TLF can't provide assistance when the patient has full blown AIDS which would require additional expensive lab tests, medicines and hospitalization needs of patients with specific opportunistic infections.

Because of this, we continually advice families of patients to look into seeking assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for a bigger medical assistance. For this year alone, Dr. Ditangco (and her staff) and I have helped patients get medical assistance from PCSO. All the staff of RITM-ARG work hand in hand with patient's and their families to complete all requirements needed to be granted the assistance. So far, RITM-ARG has helped around 20-30 patients through PCSO's assistance. The patients who have been helped are those who already have serious infections that require expensive medications, lab tests and hospitalization.

So what to do when you cant afford the treatment of infections brought about by HIV?

For patients with HIV/AIDS with serious infections who are seeking medical assistance, please check out the requirements for PCSO's medical assistance here:


Coordinate with your HIV doctors and health care givers to help furnish with all the requirements. All the steps are in the link above.

There is hope. We are all in this together. Patients, families, health care givers, treatment hubs and the government have to work hand in hand to alleviate the burden that HIV brings to a patient. We just have to do our part. We just have to utilize all the resources needed to ensure that the patient with HIV/AIDS gets well.



*** Please answer the poll question on the LEFT SIDE of the Main Page. I want to hear from you!


© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: