It’s time to ACT– Project Headshot Clinic for World AIDS Day 2010

Today is World AIDS day and I recognize the need for the Philippines to be informed about delicate topics that people are uneasy to talk about.  This mysterious disease is REAL and so are the danger it poses to us, our friends and family.  Please read through, be informed and share to everyone.  It is time to ACT.

About the Project Headshot Clinic ACT

photography by: Niccolo Cosme

The Project Headshot Clinic for 3 years has given a different look at profile pictures online, it became online billboards on online social networking sites, and everyone in it, as instant endorser of whatever that is being advertised, commercial or a particular advocacy.

For 3 years the team partnered with UNAIDS in fighting HIV/AIDS.  The first awareness campaign of headshot clinic and UNAIDS was called “AWARE” in 2008, and then “MOVE” in 2009 a follow up of the first one which aimed to move people to act on this specific issue, and this year “ACT” a call to action, where voluntary HIV screening and counseling will be provided on given shooting dates by Take The Test and ASP (AIDS Society Philippines).

All headshots will be released online and should be used as primary profile pic on all the participant’s social network sites on December 1, 2010 which happens to be WORLD AIDS DAY.

AIDS Facts in the Philippines

Here are facts in bullet points about AIDS.  This is according to the recent report of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the Department of Health (DOH), in the month of August 2010 alone.

– 108 new HIV positive individuals were confirmed

– that’s a 77% increase compared to same period last year

– 80% of whom are MSM

– Total number of cases in 2010 is 1,048

– Total number of reported cases since 1984 is 5,472

Not enough people are being reached by information and services on HIV and AIDS.  Ideally, 80% of at-risk populations should be reached if the country is to attain Millennium Development Goal 6, which is to “halt and reverse the spread of HIV infection by 2015”.  For now, the number is only at 29%.

The NEED to ACT

To date, there is no cure for HIV infection and AIDS.  As a vital part of treatment and care, HIV positive individuals are dependent on antiretroviral therapy to prevent them from progressing into AIDS.  Currently, antiretroviral drugs or ARVs are being given for free to HIV positive individuals through the help of the Global Fund.  But the supply is estimated to last only until 2012.  Given the current trend in the HIV epidemic, ensuring an adequate supply of ARVs is a challenge that needs to be addressed by government as well as various sectors of society.

These are the facts that need our utmost attention.  These are the parameters that could describe what’s in store for us in the coming years.  It is inevitable that this current situation will help shape the kind of stigma that will develop in the general consciousness about HIV and AIDS.  A lot of questions are being raised and we need to find viable solutions and options.

We need to “ACT”!  We need to come together and act on the situation.  It is not our government’s responsibility alone – let’s do our share!

Testing

Why get tested? Because there is no reason not to.

A vital key to prevention is TESTING.  The earlier you know your HIV status, the better chances for you to be able to take care of yourself and help prevent the spread of the virus.

Know your status.

Take the Test!

For more information on Project Headshot Clinic: ACT, please refer to the link below:

For information on other non-governmental organizations that are doing the same efforts please check out this link:

http://takethetestproject.wordpress.com/all-about-hiv/ngos-support-groups/

For listings of treatment hubs and Social Hygiene Clinics that offer free HIV testing please refer to this link:

http://takethetestproject.wordpress.com/all-about-hiv/hiv-hubs/

For more information on HIV and AIDS please refer to the following local online websites:

www.takethetestproject.wordpress.com

www.positivism.ph

www.redlightspecial.com

www.unaids.org.ph

www.pnac.org.ph

HIV Hubs and Test Centers

METRO MANILA

Philippine General Hospital (PGH)
Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Dr. Jodor Lim & Ms. Dominga C. Gomez, HACT, SAGIP / PGH
Tel: (+632) 554-8400 local 3238

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Dr. Rossana A. Ditangco, Head, HIV Research Unit
Tel: (+632) 807-2628 or 38 local 801/208

San Lazaro Hospital (SLH)
Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
Dr. Rosario Jessica Tactacan-Abrenica, Medical Specialist II / HACT Leader and Head, HIV/AIDS Pavilion
Tel: (+632) 309-9528 to 29; 740-8301 loc 6000

LUZON

Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC)
Baguio City
Dr. Maria Lorena L. Santos, HACT Leader / Medical Officer II

Bicol Regional Training & Teaching Hospital
Legaspi City, Albay
Dr. Rogelio G. Rivera, Chief of Hospital III
Tel: (+6352) 483-0016; 483-0086; 483-0017

Cagayan Valley Medical Center
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley

Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC)
San Fernando, La Union
Dr. Jeisela B. Gaerlan, Medical Specialist II / HACT Leader
Tel: (+6372) 700-3808

Jose B. Lingad Memorial Medical Center
San Fernando, Pampanga

VISAYAS

Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital
Lacson St., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Dr. Candido Alam, HACT Leader / Medical Specialist
Tel: (+6334) 435-1591; 433-2697

Vicente Sotto, Sr. Memorial Medical Center
B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City 6000
Dr. Maria Consuelo B. Malaga, HACT Leader
Tel: (+6332) 253-7564

Western Visayas Medical Center
Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, 5000 Iloilo City
Dr. Ray Celis, HACT Leader / Medical Specialist III
Tel: (+6333) 321-2841 to 50

MINDANAO

Davao Medical Center
J.P. Laurel St., Bajada, 8000 Davao City
Dr. Alicia Layug, HACT Leader
Tel: (+6381) 227-2731

Zamboanga City Medical Center
Evangelista St., 7000 Zamboanga City
Dr. Jejunee Rivera, HACT Leader / Medical Officer III
Tel: (+6362) 991-0573

Or visit/inquire at your nearest Social Hygiene Clinics (Special STI Clinics) and City or Municipal Health Offices at the local level