Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 420: Confused and Needs Help!

Hi.

im newly diagnose last nov. Sa totoo lang im so depress pero right now i feel ok na. . Marami pa din tanong sa isip ko. Until now di pa din ako ng papatest ng cd4 ko sa alabang kasi baka may bayad. Wala ako idea. Tapos sa med. Di ko alam ko paano or magkano magagastos ko. Im so confused. Help naman po.

Salamat.

TRANSLATION

Hi.
I’m newly diagnosed with HIV last November. To be honest, I am so depressed but right now, I feel ok. I think a lot. Up to now, I haven;t taken the CD4 test in Alabang because of the fee. I have no idea. Then the medicines. I don’t know what or how much would they cost me. I’m so confused. Please help me.

Thank you.

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi there.

Thank you for your email.

Now, that you know that you are HIV positive, you HAVE to take the baseline tests to know the status of your health and the level of your immune system. As explained to you by your counsellor post HIV test, HIV can damage your immune system which can result debilitating diseases that can really hurt you.

I know you are scared. I know that you don't know what to do. Let me help you.

1. In RITM-ARG in Alabang, all baseline tests, including the CD4 test, are FREE. The things that are not free are those specific laboratory tests that the doctor will require if your immune system has already been compromised by other infections. So why wait for this to happen?

2. In all HIV/AIDS Treatment Hubs, all HiV medicines are FREE, as they are subsidised by the Global Fund. The only medicines that are not free are those that are specific to other infections that are caused by the weakened immune system. Once, again, so why wait for this to happen?

Please don't wait anymore. We can help you. You can talk to any of The Red Ribbon Peer Counselors if you want assistance or just talk to clear your mind out:

Marky: 0916-346-2538

Gerald: 0917-899-0473

Yomi: 0926-697-2240

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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