Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Monday, September 17, 2018
Importance of Having an HIV in the Workplace Program
Fernando's dream was to work in Manila. He was a college student but because of his dream, his parents sold their carabao so that he can work in Manila, and have a place to stay until he can send some money to help his siblings.
A few months later, he was diagnosed with HIV. Because he got scared that his employer would find out because at that time, for you to get the PhilHealth benefits for HIV, you need to get the CF1 form from your HR. Because of this, he quit his job. He also didn't tell his family about what happened.
Project Red Ribbon found him in the streets. He was able to contact our Care Manager so we looked for him. He had no place to stay and already with AIDS-related infections. We placed him in a shelter and volunteers brought him food. We enrolled him to a hub. Unfortunately, because of his infections and his will to live already ate him upon, he died.
There are so many stories about people at work with HIV. Here is the story of Ronald who didn't apply anymore for work because he was asked for an HIV test. Another story is that of Marie who got bullied as soon as her manager found out that she had HIV which she got from her OFW husband. Worse is that she passed it to her unborn child. She was talked about as someone who was promiscuous and having multiple sex and was rumoured that she got it from having sex with multiple men. She committed suicide. Another story is that of Tony who because he has HIV, the company doctor required him not to work for a month as he might spread it to others, and he needs clearance from his hub doctor.
These are the many stories of people who were employed and have HIV. Stories of discrimination, stories of stigma, stories of people who didn't know what to do since their employer and managers don't know the HIV law or don't know anything about HIV. This is sad even the Department of Labor and Employment has a guideline for the implementation of an HIV in the workplace program.
So what can we do then?
The best and most sustainable way is for the company to establish an HIV in the workplace policy. This is not only required by law but it is the right way to do. Companies under the policy should then conduct their HIV awareness talks, if possible have an HIV testing or screening and promote activities related to HIV and AIDS. By doing this, everybody will start talking about HIV. By frequent education and knowing the rights of individuals and the people living with HIV, the c company will then provide a safe place to work in, free of stigma and discrimination. By continuous awareness programs, the company will acknowledge the sexual diversity and social inclusion related to HIV and AIDS. This then makes the company a welcoming place to work, a safe place to work in.
Below is the Department Order of DOLE which sets the guidelines for an HIV in the workplace program in the company.
Project Red Ribbon can help as we crafted the Comprehensive HIV in the workplace Program. Contact us at contact@projectredribbon.org.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Life is Meant to be Lived!
Hi pozziepinoy,
I've been reading your blog about HIV for the past few weeks, and I really want to share with you what I'm experiencing since I was diagnosed with HIV four years ago, but there's been something that pulling me back. Now I gathered all the strengths and courage to tell you my story.
May 14 2014, the most unforgettable day of my life and maybe the most unfortunate news I ever had received. Confirmatory test results says "REACTIVE" in a plain bold text. Cd4 count at 590. Honestly I expected it, I know that there's been something wrong with me even before I decided to know my status. It took days before things finally sink in my mind; and I asked myself "am I going to die?" I hope not I was young back then. I'm just 24 that time and there are still a lot of opportunities on my way. My career was just starting to bloom, I just recently promoted and I'm seeing a clear path for my career. So, I decided to set aside the thoughts of having the virus and live life like nothing happened. I know, it is a very unwise and a lame decision.
September 2017, I was hospitalized because of difficulty in breathing and a high grade fever. Doctors try to figure out what's going on it can be TB or Pneumonia, blood test and X-ray are requested but results shows negative. So, I decided to visit RITM ARG Clinic and ask for assistance. They ask for my confirmatory results and I was subject to counseling, I had some test X-ray, sputum, blood test etc. Eventually, I had my first ARV after 3 years of being diagnosed. Then, days, weeks, months had passed. Still denying the fact that I am poz same old routine, same old lifestyle, to the point that I am already missing a dose of my ARV. After six months of my first ARV treatment, as usual laboratory test are requested test results shows CD4 at 108 and Vl 300,000 copies per millimeter. Clearly, my ARVs aren't working. Why?? Simple! because of me there's no one to be blamed but me.
Currently, Im on the second line arv my CD4 is at 33, and based on what I read I'm considered as stage 4 AIDS. Luckily I never had any other diseases but for how long? I'm still on denial. I refuse to take my ARV and honestly I'm just waiting for my death to come. The truth is I need help I need support but how can somebody help me if even me can't help myself. No one can help me. I want to start again, to start from scratch but it's too late. I am sad, I am depressed, I want to quit, I want to just take a rest forever to the point that I'm praying for my own death. I'm tired I honestly am.
It feels good venting out the pain and suffering surrounding my soul. I just hope that I am the last person who is experiencing this dilemma and I hope one day I will be enlightened.
Thank you for reading my email.
Many thanks,
XXX
POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE
Hi Jay,
We are here to help you. I would like to meet you personally so that we can talk. I would like to introduce you to our support group which we conduct every week in our Ortigas office. I want you to meet people, who are now productive in their lives, who despite of having HIV rebounded back and now enjoying life.
I just want you to know that it is NEVER too late. Life is meant to be lived, not to be given up. You can once again rebound back and fight for your life, your family and your lifelong dreams. Sometimes, we think too much that we feel we are alone in this fight, when in fact there are a lot of people, people you just don't know, who are willing to fight with you.
I hope you don't mind, but I am also linking you with Dr. Rossana Ditangco. She is the best doctor you'll ever have who can also talk to you and help you with your medical management.
Jay, together we can work on this. Just don't lose hope. Let's meet. Let's talk. Then I want you to correspond with Dra. Ditangco too. This will be a team effort, just for you, all for you.
Hope to hear for you soon.
POZZIEPINOY
Need assistance?
Want to take the FREE HIV Screening?
Want to talk to someone?
Looking for a support group?
Want to volunteer?
TRR HIV Hotline Numbers
02-656-7297
0917-908-1546
TRR CARE OFFICE
OPEN DAILY
Address:
Unit 401 Lumiere Suites
#21 General Capinpin St.
Barangay San Antonio,
Ortigas Center, Pasig
"Spreading Compassion"
-Project Red Ribbon-
Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST??
Check this link:
If you have comments or questions, please click this link:
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012
Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines
National Youth Commission Commits to HIV Program for the Youth
The National Youth Commission during the Committee on Health meeting held last September 13, 2018 under the new leadership of Commissioner Victor del Rosario reiterated their support for the national HIV program under the NYC - HIV and AIDS Prevention Program for the Youth (HAPPY). This is an undertaking in partnership with Project red Ribbon as its implementing partner for a national HIV training on HIV awareness and HIV Screening. Under this program, there will be a training for the youth leaders to roll out the HIV Program to the youth organizations all over the country.
The need for the youth organizations to step up in helping the national HIV program is imperative. The cases of HIV in the country among the youth continuously rise every month. With the weak educational platform on HIV in schools and universities, the NGO's need to aggressively come together especially those focused on the youth should start coming together and strategies on how to arrest the growing epidemic.
With NYC stepping up and addressing the issue among the youth, with Project Red Ribbon as its partner, we do hope that we can create ripples of impact not only on education but also strengthen the program on the promotion of early HIV testing as a means of prevention of the spread of HIV.
The need for the youth organizations to step up in helping the national HIV program is imperative. The cases of HIV in the country among the youth continuously rise every month. With the weak educational platform on HIV in schools and universities, the NGO's need to aggressively come together especially those focused on the youth should start coming together and strategies on how to arrest the growing epidemic.
With NYC stepping up and addressing the issue among the youth, with Project Red Ribbon as its partner, we do hope that we can create ripples of impact not only on education but also strengthen the program on the promotion of early HIV testing as a means of prevention of the spread of HIV.
Need assistance?
Want to take the FREE HIV Screening?
Want to talk to someone?
Looking for a support group?
Want to volunteer?
TRR HIV Hotline Numbers
02-656-7297
0917-908-1546
TRR CARE OFFICE
OPEN DAILY
Address:
Unit 401 Lumiere Suites
#21 General Capinpin St.
Barangay San Antonio,
Ortigas Center, Pasig
"Spreading Compassion"
-Project Red Ribbon-
Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST??
Check this link:
If you have comments or questions, please click this link:
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012
Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines
New HIV Treatment Hub in Iloilo City
The Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines just opened its first Primary HIV Clinic in Iloilo City, along Rizal Avenue. Services provided include HIV Testing, HIV Counselling, Doctor Consultation and HIV Treatment and Management.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Another Child Needing Support
A doctor of one of the biggest hubs in the Philippines just messaged me and asked for support for a 6 year old who was just admitted today. The doctor asked if Project Red Ribbon can visit and check on the kid.
This is what we do. Immediately, I called our Care Manager to assess the situation of the child. He will visit tonight.
"We act FAST when we CARE" is the tagline of Project Red Ribbon. However, there were times that even though we act fast, FAST is still not enough. Sometimes we have to do more.. most of the time, it has to be before things happen.
That is the reason we also focus on education and prevention. We need to arrest behaviours before HIV is transmitted. It is harder when somebody is late diagnosed because everything becomes taxing.. medical, financial, emotional.
Yesterday, a child died because of AIDS. Today, we have another newly admitted child. We have to move fast.
This is what we do. Immediately, I called our Care Manager to assess the situation of the child. He will visit tonight.
"We act FAST when we CARE" is the tagline of Project Red Ribbon. However, there were times that even though we act fast, FAST is still not enough. Sometimes we have to do more.. most of the time, it has to be before things happen.
That is the reason we also focus on education and prevention. We need to arrest behaviours before HIV is transmitted. It is harder when somebody is late diagnosed because everything becomes taxing.. medical, financial, emotional.
Yesterday, a child died because of AIDS. Today, we have another newly admitted child. We have to move fast.
Need assistance?
Want to take the FREE HIV Screening?
Want to talk to someone?
Looking for a support group?
Want to volunteer?
TRR HIV Hotline Numbers
02-656-7297
0917-908-1546
TRR CARE OFFICE
OPEN DAILY
Address:
Unit 401 Lumiere Suites
#21 General Capinpin St.
Barangay San Antonio,
Ortigas Center, Pasig
"Spreading Compassion"
-Project Red Ribbon-
Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST??
Check this link:
If you have comments or questions, please click this link:
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012
Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines
Take the HIV Screening and Get FREE condoms and Lubricants
Just got my personal supply of HIV test kits, condoms and lubricants. Anyone who would like to take the HIV screening, please email me at contact@projectredribbon.org.
Is the HIV Test Free?
I just received two emails asking if the HIV Test is free. If not how much does it cost?
Well, in all government hospitals, treatment hubs and testing facilities including the social hygiene clinics, the HIV Test is free. There is a pre- and post- test counselling and a form to be filled out. In private hospitals and privately owned laboratory test facilities, the HIV test is not free. The tests may cost from P500 to P1,500 depending on the facility. However, the process is still the same.
The HIV test result if negative comes out the following day. If the result is reactive, the facility will ask the client to come back for the result after 2 weeks. During this time, the blood sample is sent to SACCL in DOH for the confirmatory test, to accurately diagnose HIV.
Nowadays, there is the HIV Screening. The HIV Screening is a simple pin prick as compared with the blood extraction for the HIV Test. The HIV test kits used in HIV screening comes from DOH and trained motivators for ambassadors can give on the HIV screening test outside any clinic or facility. Project Red Ribbon is doing this in the office, or during one-on-one meet ups. In our activities and events, we conduct it in companies, schools, organisation activities, in parks, etc. The protocol is if the test result turned out to be reactive, the client is assisted to take the HIV test in the facility. The test kits being used are very accurate.
So what are you waiting for? Take the HIV test or HIV screening now. For HIV screening, you may contact our information details below.
Well, in all government hospitals, treatment hubs and testing facilities including the social hygiene clinics, the HIV Test is free. There is a pre- and post- test counselling and a form to be filled out. In private hospitals and privately owned laboratory test facilities, the HIV test is not free. The tests may cost from P500 to P1,500 depending on the facility. However, the process is still the same.
The HIV test result if negative comes out the following day. If the result is reactive, the facility will ask the client to come back for the result after 2 weeks. During this time, the blood sample is sent to SACCL in DOH for the confirmatory test, to accurately diagnose HIV.
Nowadays, there is the HIV Screening. The HIV Screening is a simple pin prick as compared with the blood extraction for the HIV Test. The HIV test kits used in HIV screening comes from DOH and trained motivators for ambassadors can give on the HIV screening test outside any clinic or facility. Project Red Ribbon is doing this in the office, or during one-on-one meet ups. In our activities and events, we conduct it in companies, schools, organisation activities, in parks, etc. The protocol is if the test result turned out to be reactive, the client is assisted to take the HIV test in the facility. The test kits being used are very accurate.
So what are you waiting for? Take the HIV test or HIV screening now. For HIV screening, you may contact our information details below.
Need assistance?
Want to take the FREE HIV Screening?
Want to talk to someone?
Looking for a support group?
Want to volunteer?
TRR HIV Hotline Numbers
02-656-7297
0917-908-1546
TRR CARE OFFICE
OPEN DAILY
Address:
Unit 401 Lumiere Suites
#21 General Capinpin St.
Barangay San Antonio,
Ortigas Center, Pasig
"Spreading Compassion"
-Project Red Ribbon-
Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST??
Check this link:
If you have comments or questions, please click this link:
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012
Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines
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