AS THE sole primary treatment facility in the Davao Region, The Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) continues to offer free testing and treatment for persons potentially living and currently living with HIV.
“Ang RHWC it’s a facility for prevention, treatment care, and support, naga-promote mi og testing (RHWC it’s a facility for prevention, treatment, care, and support, we also promote testing),” Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, RHWC head, said in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio, Monday.
She said they are well-connected with the Department of Health XI for the support services that they provide.
“In place po siya, from testing prevention treatment and care services treatment magbalik-balik gyud sila sa amoa, every now and then naa ta’y laboratories kay we have to test kumusta ang ilahang response, sa treatment, meaning to say lifetime gyud siya (It is all in place from prevention, treatment and care services, the patients go back to our facility every now and then, we also have laboratories because we have to test their response to the treatment so this is really for a lifetime),” she said.
Ramittere said that their services are outpatient and they encourage those who suspect that they have HIV to go to the center and ask for a free test.
“Ang testing libre gyud na siya because it is from Department of Health ang atoang testing kits and ang atoang treatment libre pud siya through Philhealth since Philhealth-accredited ang RHWC (The testing is free because the kits are from Department of Health and our treatment is also free because it is under Philhealth since RHWC is also Philhealth-accredited),” she said.
Ramiterre said that hospitals in the city, such as the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), also have an allocation for antiretroviral drugs used for treatment as it also has Philhealth accreditation. Davao Doctors Hospital also has treatment drugs but not for free.
Ramiterre urged Davaoeños to visit RHWC for testing and treatment purposes.
“Dapat mag-patest sila’g sayo para wala pa sila’y sintomas magsugod na sila’g tambal (They should be tested early so that they can start to take the drugs before the symptoms appear),” she said.
She added that their facility manages patients through outpatient arrangements, primarily those who do not show symptoms yet. The antiretroviral drugs are also for those who are not manifesting symptoms yet.
“Pwede siya wala’y sintomas for as long as na start nato siya og sayo nag healthy lifestyle siya gibuhat niya tanan dapat so for outpatient cases ning atong facility (It is for those who do not have symptoms, for as long as we start early, and they practice a healthy lifestyle and they are doing what they can do, so this facility is really for outpatient cases,)” Ramiterre said.
The RHWC is located on Emilio Jacinto St, Poblacion District, Davao City and those who are interested in availing of their programs may contact (082) 222 4187.
