Email 244: Choosing the Hub
Posted by Pozziepinoy on 8:55 PM
Isa ako sa mga naging masugid na tagabasa ng iyong blogsite simula nung nagkaroon ako ng kamalayan pagdating sa HIV/AIDS. Nais ko lamang po ikuwento ang naging experience ko at humingi ng payo galing sa iyo.
TRANSLATION
Good Day Pozziepinoy.
I am one of the avid readers of your blog site since I became aware about HIV/AIDS. I would like to share my experience and would like to seek advice from you.
To start it off, I am 28 years old, from Balintawak, Quezon City. I am part of a heath care team provider, a bisexual and dreams of working overseas. Since 2011, we started processing my papers until I reached the medical exam, and part of which is the HIV testing. In February 2012, I was deemed “fit to work”. Then I repeated the medical tests last August 2012 and once more I was deemed “fit to work”. However last December 2012 when I took the medical exam, it became pending until I called the clinic for my result. I was informed that the HIv result was pending and I was adviced to wait until all the patients have already left so we can have a one-on-one discussion with my doctor. I got a little nervous from what I’ve heard and when the time came that the doctor and I were alone, he handed me a white letter envelope that came from SACCCL. He told me to open it and I read it. I got scared and became nervous from what I have read. I was reactive to HIV1 and I was positive to the Western Blot confirmatory.
Now I am experiencing extreme depression but I am fighting it. I sought consult with an ENT in PGH because I had a sore throat but then everything was ok. I am holding now my HIV test result and was adviced by the doctor that I should go to SACCCL so the doctors there can assess and evaluate.
I would like to ask your advice as to what will happen if I go there with my confirmatory. Is there a better hub than SACCL? I am a PhilHealth member and I would like to get free tests and meds if possible. I read that mostly people go to RITM, PGH and San Lazaro. I would like to go to a hub that fail-proof.
I don’t like to think that I will die early in this world because I want to fight and live.
I wish you can give me a good advice.
Thank you very much and God bless.
POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE
HI.
Thank you for your email. Thank you for reading my blog.
I know what you are feeling right now. All of us have experienced what you are experiencing. But look at the bright side, we all have surpassed that test so I know you will too. Just hold on to that fighting spirit of yours and everything will be fine. Trust me.
With regards to your concern about the hub, I always tell the new PLHIV's to go to the hub nearest your place for easy accessibility. Since you will be going back and forth to the clinic for all the tests, it is really wise for you to go to the hub that is most accessible to you. San Lazaro Hospital SACCL is a good hospital and they have their own facilities for all the lab tests including the CD4. However, I know that not all tests are free there anymore. Even in PGH-SAGIP is like that. Only the RITM-ARG in Alabang provides free lab tests including the CD4. However, of course, it is far and you will really wake up early in the morning just to be there if you are coming from Manila area. You can also try going to the two private hubs: the Makati Medical Center or The Medical City in Ortigas. However, the lab tests including the CD4 test are expensive there. It is really a choice that you have to make. Anyway, if you feel that you need to transfer if you don't like the facilities then you have the right to do so.
If you want me to discuss the differences among hubs, you can call me at 0916-286-2066.
I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.
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
Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines