Friday, December 16, 2016

OFW and the HIV Test


Dear Sir/Madam,

I hope this email finds you well.

It was very devastating to know that my partner's health condition has been showing signs of HIV. We had been into a relationship for more than 7 years now. Since 2013, I decided not to have any sexual contact with him for the reason that I see him as a brother. I had myself tested last year and it was negative.

We decided that he should be tested last October. Until now, he is afraid to get the result. He has been paranoid or afraid that he will be held in custody once the result is positive. 

I am working here abroad to support the needs of my family as well as his personal needs. Living alone in a foreign country is very difficult. There are instances that I can no longer bear the loneliness. And to add to that, my life is slowly becoming miserable. I can't afford not to provide the needs of the people I love. Please enlighten us on how to go about this situation we have.

Any information or help you can extend will highly be appreciated.

Thanks ahead for giving us the chance to see a brighter side of life.


Best Regards,
XXX


POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE


Hi XXX,

First of all, thank you for sending an email about your concerns. I apologize for the late reply though. 

I know the difficulties of being an overseas Filipino worker. Though you may be getting the salary to support your life and your family, it is very hard to be away from all of the people that you love. The emotional distress becomes harder when a partner is having issues with his health.

Going straight to your concern, I believe that from your letter, you and your partner are living and working in the middle east or singapore or any muslim country which prohibits an OFW from working if discovered to have HIV. If that is the case, it is really difficult to have an HIV test there as the result may lead to reporting to their Ministry of Health which may lead to deportation.
To be honest with you, there is no reason for your partner to delay the HIV test especially if he really feels that he has gotten it, maybe he is feeling some symptoms of AIDS-related infections. HIV is manageable and there are already medicines for the disease and early treatment will attenuate it and will not cause AIDS-related infections or opportunistic infections to come out as a result of the progression of HIV which leads to the destruction of a person’s immune system.

The dilemma of HIV Test is there but there is still the option to get it done, by one, taking a quick trip home or two, by going to another country to get tested. As I always point out, it is more costly when one already is sick with AIDS-related infections which involves extensive laboratory tests and medications to doctor’s consultation and hospitalization than getting the test by spending the airfare going back home. IT IS BETTER to know his HIV status now, trust me.

There really is no choice here but to get tested. If you guys decide to come home, please let us know. Project Red Ribbon conducts FREE HIV Screening in our office and we can guide you with the process of treatment, just in case. Our office will be open from Monday to Saturday starting on January 2017, from 8am to 4pm. Once you are here, you may contact us at the phone numbers below.

Taking the HIV test will be the best Christmas gift that one can give to oneself. I do hope to see you guys soon.


Happy Holidays,
Pozziepinoy




QUESTIONS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS?
WANT TO GET TESTED?
CALL US!

TRR HIV Hotline Numbers 

0915-427-3407
0906-390-1031
0927-287-8210
0975-387-3173

Office: 
Unit 607 Lumiere Suites
#21 General Capinpin Street,
Barangay San Antonio,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City

MONDAY-SATURDAY 
FREE HIV SCREENING
Phone Counselling
9am-4pm
(02) 656-7297


If you want to join a private HIV support group in Facebook, please add Darwin Tenoria, the TRR Executive Director and request to be added in the group. We have a lot of PLHIV, counselors, HIV doctors, advocates and supporters who you can talk to.




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-Project Red Ribbon-



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