sexandsensibilities.com

Cecil Anonuevo, executive director of the Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF) Health Clinic & Laboratory, explains the testing process and what your rights are under RA 8504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention & Control Act of 1998 for getting an HIV Antibody Testing (HAT):

* The HIV Antibody Testing (HAT) is voluntary.

Mandatory testing is illegal in the Philippines. You cannot be forced to take an HIV antibody test. There are some OFWs whose destination country requires an HIV antibody test as a pre-employment requirement. In that case, the OFW has to adhere to the rules of the destination country.

If you are under 18, your parents will have to be informed that you are going to take an HIV anti-body test.

* Right to pre-counseling

Your counselor or health care professional should explain to you the following:

1. What an HIV antibody test is.

2. The four modes of transmission: blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk; how HIV is transmitted and prevention methods.

3. Explain the two possible results: reactive and negative and what it means

4. You will be asked details about your personal history to identify what behaviors are high-risk, such as drug use.

* Right to post-counseling

You have a right to receive counseling after the test whether or not your test result is positive.

If your test results are negative, your counselor will reinforce the importance of ABCDE:

A – abstinence

B – be faithful

C – correct and consistent use of condoms

D – don’t do drugs

E – educate yourself continuously

You will also be encouraged to get tested every 6 months if you engage in risky sexual behavior.

If found positive, you will go through another round of tests. All confirmatory testing is centralized at the San Lazaro Hospital. It could take up to 2 weeks for test results to be released.

The counselor will have to explain to you why there is a need for confirmatory testing. You will also be helped to deal with the 2-week waiting period. Lastly, your counselor will tell you what your treatment options are and help link you with support groups.

If your test result is confirmed as reactive, you will be asked to fill up a National Epidemiology Center form for the DOH HIV/AIDS Registry where your results will be registered.

* Right to privacy

Your test results – whether reactive (positive) or not — will be released only to you in person. Test results cannot be released via phone nor can you get an authorized representative to pick up the results on your behalf.

While your counselor will hand you your test results, you are not required to disclose them to him/her.

* Right to confidentiality

According to Anonuevo, you have the prerogative to use a pseudonym when taking the HIV antibody test. “Just remember what your pseudonym is when you come in to claim your result because we will not be able to release it to you if you forget,” she says.

HIV Testing costs P 750.00

STD Package Testing – Package C + Chlamydia gram stain – Php1,700

For more information about HIV and STI testing, call the RAF Health Clinic and Laboratory at tel No. 524-0924. RAF is located at 1072 Remedios St. corner Singalong, Malate, Manila.