Email 347: Where to Get Blood Transfusion

Hi Pozzie.

Kelangan ko raw masalinan ng dugo bago ako mag-ARV dahil mababa ang hemoglobin ko. Pwede ko ba gawin yun sa kahit saang ospital or kelangan sa treatment hubs lang? Ni-reject na kasi ako ng isang public hospital na malapit sa amin eh, di raw sila nag-aadmit ng may HIV case.

XXX

TRANSLATION

Hi Pozzie.

I was told that before I start taking ARV's, I need to have blood transfusion as my hemoglobin count is low. Can I do it in any hospital or do I need to do it in a treatment hub? I was rejected by a public hospital near us as they said that they don't admit HIV cases there.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE



Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email.

With regards to your question, you can get a blood transfusion from any hospital as long as there is a prescription coming from your HIV doctor. Actually it is illegal for any hospital to reject a person with HIV to be given care, but for the meantime, let us address your immediate concern first.

If I were you, just go to any general hospital or any private hospital. You can also go back to your hub so you won't be stressed anymore. Just in case, a hospital rejects you, get the the names of the people who decided on rejecting you and make them sign in a piece of paper and state all the reasons why you have been rejected. Of course it will take a lot of guts to do this, but definitely if I am in your shoes, I will do it. Afterwards go to another hospital and seek medical help. Once you are stable with your health, you can complain to DOH about your experience with the previous hospital and present the signed document that you have.

I hope  was able to answer all your questions. Feel free to email me again if you have other concerns.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy