Core Team orients hospital’s nurses, medtechs

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Core Team of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH-HACT) headed by Dr. Agnes L. Bernabe conducted an HIV/AIDS Awareness and Orientation for nurses and medtechs on September 30, 2022 at the NVPH’s Chief of Hospital Office.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, and, if it is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
According to Dr. Bernabe, the said activity was planned way before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She hopes that it will give more enlightenment and awareness among the participants, especially in light of the growing number of HIV/AIDS cases. “A sufficient knowledge and understanding of the issues would lead to proper responses or actions, and also curtail discriminatory behavior”, she explained.
Dr. Alfredo M. Lopez, HIV Physician at the HIV/AIDS Treatment Hub, Region II Trauma and Medical Center (R2TMC), said that there is currently no effective cure. Hence, once people get the HIV and develop AIDS, the most severe stage of HIV infection, they’ll have it for life. Those with AIDS have badly damaged immune systems, and, as a consequence, they can get an increasing number of opportunistic infections or other serious illnesses. With proper medical care, however, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long and healthy lives, and protect their partners as well. Effective transmission of HIV is through ESSE: Exit from people living with HIV (PLHIV), Sufficient amount of the virus, Survival of the virus in the medium, and Entry to the recipient”, Dr. Lopez emphasized.
The second speaker, Nurse and HIV/AIDS Counselor Guillermo B. Francisco, also at the R2TMC HIV/AIDS Treatment Hub, described the workflow of the screening and referral system. He also highlighted the 5Cs of HIV testing services, which stand for Consent for HIV Test, Confidentiality, Counseling, Correct results, and Connection to care.
Ms. Mariannty Jira C. David, Medical Technologist II at the NVPH and member of its HIV/AIDS Core Team, said that they offer free counseling and screening wherein screened reactive patients are referred to the R2TMC Treatment Hub for preparation of confirmatory testing and further management. For more information on counseling and testing, the Hub can be contacted through mobile number 09066851028, she said.
Meanwhile, based on the Report on Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV/AIDS of Ms. Clavel A. Subayno, Provincial Coordinator and Chief Medical Technologist of the Provincial Health Integrated Office (PIHO), Nueva Vizcaya now has 7 cases, which includes 1 death during the period January-June 2022. “It is very alarming that we have this number of cases in the province, that is why our team has been conducting a massive Information and Education Campaign (IEC) coupled with the distribution of condoms at establishments, like government and private offices, beauty parlors/salons, and in “most risk” and highly populated areas”, she declared. She also said that although there are only 3 registered Treatment Hubs in Region 2, i.e., R2TMC, MHO in Santiago City, and Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City, they have been conducting training for HIV/AIDS counselors, and have so far registered counselors in almost all of the municipalities of the province. #mccd