By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, May 6 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) is strengthening its awareness campaign on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by encouraging the public to avail themselves of the free HIV testing in various social hygiene clinics nationwide from May 11 to 15, 2015.
According to Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy, DOH spokesperson, the clinics are strategically placed in high-risk areas, including Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao City, as part of the DOH’s campaign against HIV and AIDS.
In a press briefing held on Wednesday at the DOH Media Relations Unit (MRU) in Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Dr. Lee-Suy said they have dubbed the activity as “National HIV Testing Week” in line with the AIDS Candlelight Memorial on May 17 to remember those who have died of AIDS, which is what HIV eventually develops to.
“The DOH is calling on our partners, particularly the media, to spread the word to everyone in the community that we are opening our doors, especially the social hygiene clinics and DOH hospitals across the country on May 11-15 for free HIV testing. So anyone or everyone who believes that they may be at risk for having HIV can go to our testing facilities,” said DOH Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial during the press briefing.
According to her, a total of 39 HIV testing centers will be scattered nationwide and all costs of the testing are free, meaning no fees will be required.
She added that aside from the free testing that the DOH will be extending through the said activity, counseling and giving of anti-retroviral drugs (for those who will be having positive result for HIV) will be conducted.
She said that through the counseling, proper guidance can be given to the HIV patients on what to do, what help is available for them and how their conditions can be best managed and their immunity strengthened.
She also assured that the results of the testing will be confidential.
According to Dr. Lee-Suy, while it is possible that the free testing may increase or even double the number of previously recorded HIV cases, as they are expecting many others not tested previously will come forward, the DOH is confident that it can provide the needed resources and services while spreading awareness that the DOH is willing to help and there is nothing to fear about if one has HIV.
Latest DOH report for February 2015 revealed that there were 23,709 confirmed HIV cases and more than a quarter (26 percent) of them were 15-24 years old.
Although one reason for the conduct of free testing is to establish a more accurate baseline of the number of cases of HIV in the country, the DOH said there are other important considerations behind the conduct of the activity.
“The main reason (referring to the free-testing) is not to find more HIV cases but rather to make them (individuals that will be tested) realized that after having tested and knowing their status, there are services that the DOH is providing especially for those that will tested positive with HIV,” said Lee-Suy.
Dr. Gerard Belimac, DOH program manager for NASCPCP (National AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention and Control Program), said that available testing centers or partners in all social hygiene clinics can be accessed by calling the hotline telephone numbers.
These are (02) 2563472, 0915-1986978, 0922-6350270, 0936-1838963 and 0919-6385401 which are all being manned by trained volunteers of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). (PNA)