Two hundred twenty two People Living with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (PLHIV) have availed the package of Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) Corporation on Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment or (OHAT) package.
Philip E. Cataylo, PhilHealth Clerk III, said the claims of these 222 PLHIV patients are worth ₱ 1.7 million.
These patients came from the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) Treatment Hub and the treatment hub at Corazon C. Aquino hospital located at Dipolog City.
The package cost ₱ 7,500 per quarter and can be availed by those positive for HIV AIDS. The package covers laboratory tests needed by the patients, professional fees, and medicines.
Cataylo assured the confidentiality of the files of these patients are taken into consideration as only person is in charge with the files and he or she HIVHIVB signed a confidentiality waiver.
HIV is the virus that’s carries Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The virus attacks the immune system where they become weak and they can immediately get sick due to their low immune system.
Before these patients are being registered for treatment, they are being counselled and tested. During the testing, blood sample will be taken from the patient either finger prick or blood extraction and the result will come out after 20 minutes.
If the result comes out reactive or positive, the sample will be sent to STD AIDS Zamboanga Cooperative Center Laboratory at San Lazaro Hospital for confirmatory testing. Treatment will be started immediately as prescribed by doctor.
