THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST

Recently I got a phone call and text from a client who had undergone HIV Antibody Testing in a private  laboratory, payed 1,000 Pesos for the test, got a REACTIVE Test Result but was not given Pre & Post-Test Counseling, Blood Serum was not forwarded to SACCL for Confirmatory Test / Western Blot, and NO referral to Treatment Hub. I tried to ask for the name of this Laboratory and verified it with the Regulatory, Licensing, and Enforcement Division of the Department of Health and found out that this facility doesn't have a Trained HIV Proficient Medical Technologist and doesn't have a license to perform HIV Antibody Testing.

I want this to be given attention because there is a law violated by this facility.

As per Republic Act 8504 (The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998) 

ARTICLE III : Testing, Screening and Counselling, states the following:

SEC. 19. Accreditation of HIV Testing Centers

All testing centers, hospitals, clinics, and laboratories offering HIV testing services are mandated to seek accreditation from the Department of Health which shall set and maintain reasonable accreditation standards.
 

SEC. 20. Pre-test and Post-test Counselling

All testing centers, clinics, or laboratories which perform any HIV test shall be required to provide
and conduct free pre-test counselling and post-test counselling for persons who avail of their HIV/AIDS testing services. However, such counselling services must be provided only by persons who meet the standards set by the DOH.
 

Along with that is a corresponding penalty stated in:

ARTICLE VII: Discriminatory Acts and Policies

SEC. 42. Penalties for Discriminatory Acts and Policies

All discriminatory acts and policies referred to this Act shall be punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for six (6) months to four (4) years and a fine not exceeding Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). In addition, licenses/permits of schools, hospitals and other institutions found guilty for committing discriminatory acts and policies described in this Act shall be revoked.

SO HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF THIS TESTING FACILITY IS LICENSED TO DO THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST?

1. First and foremost look for the CERTIFICATE OF HIV PROFICIENCY. It is usually hanged within the facility or if not verify with the facility if they have the certification. It looks like this.

2. Prior to Testing, the Facility should Provide Pre-Test Counseling.
    
     “Pre-Test Counselling” 
> a process that prepares the client for the HIV Antibody test.
> is conducted by a Trained HIV Counselor
> explains the implications of knowing that one is or is not infected with HIV.
> facilitates discussion about ways to cope with knowing one's HIV status
> enables an individual to practice strategy to reduce future risk behaviors.
> enables a client to make informed decision about being tested for HIV infection.   

*Client still has the right to refuse HIV Testing within the Pre-Testing Counseling Process. 

 3. Once Pre-Test Counseling is done you would need to fill-up the form below.

*Everyone is encouraged to provide the correct information on this form, such information is vital and could help stop the spread of HIV infection. Rest assured that all personal information given will be confidential and will not be shared to anyone.

4. After filling-up the form you will be directed to the laboratory for the blood extraction. The amount of blood extracted would be around 4-5ml. Blood Extraction should be done by the HIV Proficient Medical Technologist.

5. The turn-around time for Test result would usually be 2-3 weeks up to a month, the reason why it takes a long time for the result to be available is once the Initial HIV Screening turns Reactive (possible presence of HIV Antibodies) the facility sends the blood serum to the STI/AIDS Central Cooperative Laboratory (SACCL) of San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) since it is the only Laboratory who does the Western Blot/Confirmatory Test for HIV.

6. Once the result is available the facility will contact you informing you that your result is ready to be picked-up. Releasing of the result is accompanied by Post-Test Counseling.
 
     “Post-Test Counselling” 
> provided together with the release of the test result
> Counselors providing POST-TEST COUNSELING stress out the importance of the following:
     > NEGATIVE RESULT: Empasize Prvention Strategies

     > POSITIVE RESULT: Proper Referral to Treatment, Care, Support 

                                               (Treatment Hubs & Support Groups)

*Test Results are should be sealed and it's the client who will be the first person to open and see the result. The client does have the option weather or not he would share it to his/her counselor. 


FOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 09278230300.

For a complete list of TREATMENT HUBS please click the link below:
 TREATMENT HUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES


Be safe guys +)