Hightlight
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HIV TEST
The Medical City (TMC), the largest healthcare network in the country, is composed of one flagship complex, four provincial hospitals, and over 50 clinics in Metro Manila and in select provinces in the Philippines. Today, TMC Main serves some 50,000 inpatients and 500,000 outpatients a year
The Medical City’s I-REACT (I Am Responsible thru Early Assessment, Consultation and Treatment) is a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment hub. It aims to provide optimum care and support to people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) by addressing the medical, psychosocial, occupational, emotional and other issues related to the disease; and at the same time prevent the further spread of the infection by instituting prompt and timely intervention.
Services
HIV testing – this is a simple blood test that shows if a patient has antibodies to HIV – the virus that causes AIDS. A sample of blood will be taken from the patient’s arm and if the first test (screening) is reactive, another test (confirmatory called Western Blot) will be done to make sure that the first one is confirmed to be positive. A positive result means that the patient is infected with HIV, while a negative test means that the patient is probably not infected. If the patient thinks that he has been exposed to the virus recently, he needs to be re-tested after three to six months to make sure he is not infected. Taking an HIV test is voluntary. Under Republic Act (RA) 8504, the patient cannot be tested without his knowledge and consent. If the patient does not want to be tested, he has the right to refuse the test. The test result is confidential and will be released only to the patient. (DOH-NEC FORM A 2014)
Counseling for risk reduction – It is an individualized intervention to reduce or limit the behavior that will transmit HIV to others. This intervention is intended for those who are high risk individuals and living with HIV/AIDS with multiple, complex problems and risk-reduction needs who are having or likely to have difficulty initiating or sustaining practices that reduce or prevent HIV acquisition, transmission, or re-infection. (http://aidsdelaware.org/services/comprehensive-risk-counseling-services/)
Diagnose opportunistic infections -Opportunistic Infections (OIs) are infections that occur frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV. The common OIs are Candidiasis, Tuberculosis, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), etc. (www.cdc.gov)
To assist the patient overcome their fears, anxiety and depression over the diagnosis of HIV -Through I-REACT’s referral to specialties like Psychiatry and other relevant support mechanisms, the staff in-charge or attending physician can also set up meetings with the patient’s family or their partner as requested.
