The Department of Health (DOH) has launched a Patient Appointment System (PAS) to speed up the delivery of HIV-related services and treatment.
Through PAS, people living with HIV can book appointments to receive free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs and undergo HIV screening, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a Palace presser on Thursday, June 5.
“Ang bilin po ng Pangulong Marcos, padaliin ang pagbibigay ng serbisyong ito sa pamamagitan ng mas mabilis na proseso sa mga pangunahing ospital na puntahan ng mga taong namumuhay na may HIV,” said Herbosa.
The system was rolled out at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on Wednesday, June 4, following its earlier launch at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.
Herbosa emphasized that the system ensures continued care amid rising cases, with 57 people testing positive for HIV daily from January to March.
“Sa sistemang ito, masisiguro din natin na regular na ang pagkonsulta ng mga persons living with HIV at regular na ding makukuha ang libreng maintenance ARV drugs para ma-manage ang kanilang kondisyon,” according to him.
Currently, people can get free ARV treatment and screening at 172 treatment hubs and 114 primary HIV care facilities nationwide. These centers also offer confirmatory testing.
“Importante po na alam natin ang HIV status ng isang tao para mabigyan agad siya ng gamot at hindi na lumala ang HIV sakaling reactive po ang pasyente,” the DOH chief said, stressing the need for tests.
He stressed that while HIV still has no cure, it can be managed with proper care.
“Hindi na po death sentence ang HIV sa panahon ngayon. Kailangan lang po kumonsulta para magpa-test, screening, at maintenance. Maintenance lang ang katapat niyan, para na lang siyang high blood or diabetes na basta mayroon kang gamot, tuluy-tuloy po ang magagawa,” said Herbosa.
The DOH also offers counseling to help patients understand how to live well with HIV.
