DOH assures enough antiretroviral drugs, testing kits amid concerns in surge in HIV infections
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
DOH assures enough antiretroviral drugs, testing kits amid concerns in surge in HIV infections
This picture taken on December 7, 2016 shows a nurse holding a vial containing blood from an individual that will be sent for HIV testing at the LoveYourself Anglo Center in Manila. Noel Celis, AFP/File
This picture taken on December 7, 2016 shows a nurse holding a vial containing blood from an individual that will be sent for HIV testing at the LoveYourself Anglo Center in Manila. Noel Celis, AFP/File MANILA — The Department of Health on Thursday assured the public that there was sufficient supply of free antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV (PLHIV), as well as adequate testing kits for those seeking to know their HIV status in the Philippines.
MANILA — The Department of Health on Thursday assured the public that there was sufficient supply of free antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV (PLHIV), as well as adequate testing kits for those seeking to know their HIV status in the Philippines.
The statement from Health Secretary Ted Herbosa comes after the DOH recommended declaring HIV as a national health emergency due to the staggering 500-percent increase in HIV infections among 15 to 25-year-olds in the Philippines.
The statement from Health Secretary Ted Herbosa comes after the DOH recommended declaring HIV as a national health emergency due to the staggering 500-percent increase in HIV infections among 15 to 25-year-olds in the Philippines.
“Binisita ko iyong sa San Lazaro, kumpleto sila ng supplies. Iyong ARV, binibigay po ang three-month supply every time pumunta iyong pasyente to get; so, every three months, nari-resupply siya ng ARV treatment. Ito po ay libre; binabayaran po ng PhilHealth para sa ating persons living with HIV,” Herbosa said.
“Binisita ko iyong sa San Lazaro, kumpleto sila ng supplies. Iyong ARV, binibigay po ang three-month supply every time pumunta iyong pasyente to get; so, every three months, nari-resupply siya ng ARV treatment. Ito po ay libre; binabayaran po ng PhilHealth para sa ating persons living with HIV,” Herbosa said.
The health chief said HIV self kits were readily available in many pharmacies around the country. Those who will take the the test, however, will still need a confirmatory test in treatment hubs.
The health chief said HIV self kits were readily available in many pharmacies around the country. Those who will take the the test, however, will still need a confirmatory test in treatment hubs.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Iyong self-test kit naman, personal, puwede nilang bilhin sa ating mga pharmacy at botika para malaman nila in a rapid test kung positive sila o hindi. Pero kailangan pa rin itong i-confirm ng actual test doon sa confirmatory test sa treatment hub. So, kapag nag-negative, eh di okay ka, safe; kapag nag-positive, kailangan pumunta ka sa ating mga treatment hubs,” he said.
“Iyong self-test kit naman, personal, puwede nilang bilhin sa ating mga pharmacy at botika para malaman nila in a rapid test kung positive sila o hindi. Pero kailangan pa rin itong i-confirm ng actual test doon sa confirmatory test sa treatment hub. So, kapag nag-negative, eh di okay ka, safe; kapag nag-positive, kailangan pumunta ka sa ating mga treatment hubs,” he said.
RELATED VIDEO:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
