Living with HIV in the Philippines

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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PozziepinoyAIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV in the Philippines, HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, HIV Philippines stories, HIV Pinoy, HIV/AIDS, Pinoy HIV

Laboratory Fees during Treatment

Hi .

I have a question.

After you have already the medicines against HIV, what about the labatories.

I mean the follow up results, are the free ?

A friend of mine is living in Antipolo , and he wants me to believe that this is not free.

I am familiar with this kind of examination in Davao , and the lab follow-ups are free.

Thanks.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for finding the blog.

Let me tell you the scenario of HIV Treatment in the Philippines.

First, after the HIV test from the testing facility, one needs to wait for the confirmatory test result. This may take for a minimum of 2 weeks before the document arrives at the testing facility. This waiting period may vary as this comes from the Department of Health SACCL in Manila.

While waiting some HIV and AIDS Treatment hubs would accept the rapid test result or do another HIV screening to speed up the treatment process, so it is best that after the HIV test, go to the nearest treatment hub.

In the treatment hub, specific tests will be prescribed. This includes, and may not be limited to, the chest X-ray, CBC, lipid profile and the CD4 test. If the hub is a government facility, these laboratory tests should be free. They come with a price if the hub is privately owned.

The next step is to file the PhilHealth benefit package. If you are employed, you have this already. If not, you can do it as voluntary member. The reason why you need to file for this is to ensure that you will have all the free laboratory tests every quarter or semiannual. This is the Out-patient HIV and AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package of PhilHealth.

Once the person gets the result of the labs, he or she will then be prescribed with free antiretroviral medicines (irregardless of the CD4 result, based on the new ARV guidelines). He or she will also be taking anti-TB meds for 6 months and may take other medicines if his or her CD4 falls below 200. The medicines may be free if they are available in the government hub, else they may have to buy them. If the CD4 is very low, let's say below 100, the doctor may also prescribe other laboratory tests which may not be covered by the OHAT package, thus the client needs to pay for these. Also, if the person already has opportunistic infections, the labs and medicines for these infections may lso not be covered by the OHAT Package.

The first 2 weeks of treatment may be tedious as the client needs to go back to the hub to report for possible side effects of the antiretroviral and or the prophylactic medicines he or she are taking. If there are no side effects, then the client will be prescribed with 3 months supply of free antiretroviral medicines. The client is then advised upon quarterly visits for refill of ARV's to have a consultation with the doctor. Laboratory tests are repeated every quarter, and the Viral Load Test which is covered by the OHAT package, every year.

As you can see, there are laboratory tests that are free in the government treatment hubs. The only possible scenario wherein the client needs to pay for the labs are, when there are already opportunistic infections, or the CD4 count is below 100. In Antipolo, there are services under the Department of Social Welfare and Development which can provide assistance for the labs. This may be requested from the regional office and the city office of Antipolo. I know this because we have been referring economically challenged people living with HIV in Antipolo and the people in the City Health Office are very helpful especially when proven that the client is indigent.

This may also be true in other hubs in other cities. However, of course, one has to disclose his or her status to the government personnel to get access to these services. But, we have to do everything to get well, right? Anyway, tell your friend that everything is confidential and in Antipolo, they really respect that.

Saying all of this, your friend maybe telling the truth. There are just some things to consider, as mentioned above for paying for the laboratories. Other than that, everything is free.

I hope I was able to answer your question. Rest assured that I will reply to your email if you have other concerns.

Take care, and say hi to your friend for me.

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:

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

Thursday, August 23, 2018

PozziepinoyAIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV in the Philippines, HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, HIV Philippines stories, HIV Pinoy, HIV/AIDS, Pinoy HIV

HIV Test and Employment

Hi Pozziepinoy,

I would like to know if the HIV test is required to apply in a Call Center?

XXX

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

HI XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for finding the blog.

Requiring an HIV Test as part of the application for employment is against the law. It is stated clearly in the Republic Act 8504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, under Article III:

Section 16. Prohibitions on compulsory HIV testing. – Compulsory HIV testing as a precondition to employment, admission to educational institutions, the exercise of freedom of abode, entry or continued stay in the country, or the right to travel, the provision of medical service or any other kind of service, or the continued enjoyment of said undertakings shall be deemed unlawful.

If an employer or company tells you that you need to take the HIV test part of their requirement for employment, please call us as soon as possible so we can address this issue.

Recently we had a dialogue with the Department of Labor and Employment and the agency said that there has never been any filed complaints against them. Though Project Red Ribbon had experienced some cases from our clients on HIv testing as pre employment, it is really hard if the person complaining won't really step forward and complain about it. This is also true of people with HIV upon disclosure of their HIV status to employers got fired from work or even not given the position they were applying for. According to DOLE, they need people to file cases so that they can really address these issues.

This is the reason why the Project Red Ribbon continues not only to advocate information but also empower people and communities about their rights. We can't correct any violations if a lot of people are scared to come out and talk about discrimination especially in the workplace. How can the government agencies understand the real situation people keep everything to themselves and just let go of issues.

There are things to do. There are things to understand. There are things to fight for. We need your voice, and together, we can correct issues that have been lingering for a long time now.

XXX, I hope I was able to answer your question. Feel free to email again, if you have other concerns.

Thanks,

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:

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

PozziepinoyAIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV in the Philippines, HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, HIV Philippines stories, HIV Pinoy, HIV/AIDS, Pinoy HIV

On Working Abroad

Good Day Pozziepinoy

I just read a post few years back regarding working abroad. I was diagnosed early this year and on my ARV. I just want to know how do I start seeking for a job abroad and where I can go to seek help especially with this kind of condition I have. I know somewhere there is still hope.

Thank you very much

XXX

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi there.

Thanks for your email.

First of all I am happy that you are on your ARV treatment. I do hope that you are very adherent to it. Missing doses even though we have been taking them for a long time can still make the HIV resistant to our medicines so always pay attention to your medicine intake and ARV refills.

Now going back to your concern, most countries are very accepting of people living with HIV. You can apply anywhere and even disclose your HIV status to your employer with our compromising your employment. However, there are some countries that still discriminate PLHIV. These are the muslim countries and even Singapore. So if I were you, try to avoid these countries.

Like most overseas Filipino Workers, you may check online or at the POEA offices for openings. You may also directly communicate with people who you may know that can offer you a job outside the country. After that you may go through the process like how OFW's do it. I am in no position to give you advice on that process though. But from what I know, part of the medical examination is the HIV test which is required by other countries. This is by no means discriminatory but just a part of the health examination.

Having HIV is not an obstacle to employment anymore. Except for those regions or countries that I mentioned as influenced by their religion, one can apply anywhere and have a job of his or her dreams. People living with HIV can have meaningful life and still become productive members of society as long as one continues to be adherent to his or her ARV's and learn to protect oneself by focusing on his or her health.

I do hope that I was able to answer your question or concern. Please feel free to email em again if you have other concerns.

Thanks and good luck.

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:

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Pozziepinoy

Uphill Battle

The HIV cases in the Philippines continue to climb. From 2010 to 2018, the country has 174 percent increase in cases as reported by UNAIDS. We topped the rest of the countries in the Asian Region.

Is it because of the increasing campaign for HIV testing? Or it just is indicative of the epidemic which up to now, we don't know its extent.

For now, we just have to keep being optimistic and really hope that we can reverse the HIV epidemic in the country.

Pozziepinoy

Who is to Blame?

When a child dies, who is to be blamed?

Recently, I was informed that one of our Duyan Kids ("Duyan Kids refer to children with HIV who serve as beneficiaries of our Duyan Program) passed away. This was heartbreaking as we were assisting him and the mom years ago for their treatment by providing them counselling, medical assistance and at times financial assistance for transportation to ensure that the mom would not miss any of the check ups of ARV refills from the HIV and AIDS Treatment Hub.

At first, it was a smooth treatment, until the mom stopped coming back to hub. Of course that means, the kid stopped his treatment too. Soon, the mom died because of AIDS related infections. The young brother of the mom took charge and started to bring the kid back to the hospital. Because of inadherence, he was already taking the second line regimen.

Once again, the treatment became smooth sailing, until the parents took away the kid to Tarlac so that the young brother could work. From then on, we never heard of the kid anymore.

As part of our responsibility, both the Treatment Hub and Project Red Ribbon tried to look for the kid. We even thought to engage the DSWD to talk to the grandparents and in case they won't help the child to continue with his treatment to get the child and put in a shelter. However, it was really difficult.

Soon we found out that the child died.

Who is to be blamed here? Did we not do our part? Did the treatment hub not do enough to educate the next of kin on their responsibilities? Did we not engage the social welfare department early on which could have assessed the level ofd responsibility of the relatives to take care of the kid? Was stigma too great for the relatives not to save the child? Did poverty played a role in getting access to life saving treatment?

What we can do now is to contemplate and evaluate what went wrong. We need to assess the current situation that may possibly be the cause of his death. We have to continue to advocate so that no life, will once again be wasted because of indifference, of lack of education and awareness when we talk about HIV and AIDS.

Saturday, August 18, 2018