Nurse Joel Palaypay, head of the office and HIV counselor, said they started the campaign on May 11. “Maayos naman ang campaign kaya lang nakakalungkot dahil iisa pa lang ang nagpapa-test,” he said.
“Hinihikayat namin ang ating mga kababayan na magtungo sa BGH upang magpasuri,” he said. On the corridors of the government hospital are television monitors showing film clips on HIV/AIDS.
Various reading materials are also available. Some condoms are displayed as tool for safe sex. “Bataan General Hospital is committed to fully support persons living with HIV,” says a big signboard.
Pelayo said that the more they will continue with their drive to make more people be aware and be convinced of the advantage of early detection of the virus that leads to the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
“Malaking advantage ang pagpapasuri dahil ang HIV ay mikrobyo na halos lahat ng sakit ay dadapo sa katawan kaya mabuting maagapan,” the nurse said. Medical reports showed that medication may suppress the virus and delay the onset of AIDS.
A person undergoing HIVscreening first takes a pre-test counseling from Pelayo where the virus is fully explained and later a post-test counseling “para maging panatag ang kalooban ng nagpasuri.”
Pelayo assured persons to undertake HIV test of full confidentiality.
“Only the provincial medical technologist and the counselor will know about it.”
