About Us

The Medical City’s I-REACT (I Am Responsible thru Early Assessment, Consultation and Treatment) is a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment hub.  It aims to provide optimum care and support to people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) by addressing the medical, psychosocial, occupational, emotional and other issues related to the disease; and at the same time prevent the further spread of the infection by instituting prompt and timely intervention.

The clinic offers the expertise of recognized Infectious Disease specialists in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and networks with other specialties like Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology and Psychiatry to give only the best holistic and seamless care to patients.

Significantly, the clinic provides a secure area where privacy for its patients is assured and guaranteed. 

Services

HIV testing – this is a simple blood test that shows if a patient has antibodies to HIV - the virus that causes AIDS.  A sample of blood will be taken from the patient’s arm and if the first test (screening) is reactive, another test (confirmatory called Western Blot) will be done to make sure that the first one is confirmed to be positive.  A positive result means that the patient is infected with HIV, while a negative test means that the patient is probably not infected.  If the patient thinks that he has been exposed to the virus recently, he needs to be re-tested after three to six months to make sure he is not infected.  Taking an HIV test is voluntary.  Under Republic Act (RA) 8504, the patient cannot be tested without his knowledge and consent.  If the patient does not want to be tested, he has the right to refuse the test.  The test result is confidential and will be released only to the patient.  (DOH-NEC FORM A 2014)

Counseling for risk reduction – It is an individualized intervention to reduce or limit the behavior that will transmit HIV to others. This intervention is intended for those who are high risk individuals and living with HIV/AIDS with multiple, complex problems and risk-reduction needs who are having or likely to have difficulty initiating or sustaining practices that reduce or prevent HIV acquisition, transmission, or re-infection. (http://aidsdelaware.org/services/comprehensive-risk-counseling-services/)

Diagnose opportunistic infections -Opportunistic Infections (OIs) are infections that occur frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV.  The common OIs are Candidiasis, Tuberculosis, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), etc. (www.cdc.gov) 

To assist the patient overcome their fears, anxiety and depression over the diagnosis of HIV -Through I-REACT’s referral to specialties like Psychiatry and other relevant support mechanisms, the staff in-charge or attending physician can also set up meetings with the patient’s family or their partner as requested.

To measure the patient’s immune strength through a test called the CD4 count - CD4 cells also called T-cells (T-lymphocytes) or helper cells are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. It helps the activity of other immune cells by releasing T-cell cytokines. These cells help suppress or regulate immune responses. It is essential in B cell antibody class switching, in the activation and growth of cytotoxic T cells, and in maximizing bactericidal activity of phagocytes such as macrophages.  CD4 cell count provides an indication of the health of a patient’s immune system – the body’s natural defense system against pathogens, infections and illnesses.  CD4 cell count is the measurement of the number of blood cells in a cubic millimeter of blood (a very small blood sample).  A higher number indicates a stronger immune system.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_helper_cell)

(http://www.aidsmap.com/CD4-cell-counts/page/1044596/)

A referral system to help care for patients in a holistic manner – I-REACT has what it calls HACT (HIV/AIDS Core Team).  They are specialized and well-trained in handling HIV cases.  The team includes a nutritionist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and psychiatrist.  The clinic can also do referrals to other institutions depending on the patient’s needs.

To provide patients with the proper HIV medicines - It is a combination of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease.  ARV also prevents onward transmission of HIV.  At present, the Philippine government provides these drugs free of charge.  The I-REACT team monitors the patient closely to regain his immune strength by having routine blood test of CD4 and viral load count. (http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/treatment/en/)

To conduct a HIV viral load test in The Medical City’s Department of Laboratory. This measures the number of HIV particles in the patient’s blood.  Viral load, also known as viral burden or viral titer, is a numerical expression of the quantity of virus in a given volume.  It is often expressed as viral particles, or infectious particles per mL depending on the type of assay. A higher viral burden, titer, or viral load often correlates with the severity of an active viral infection.  The quantity of virus / mL can be calculated by estimating the live amount of virus in an involved body fluid. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_load) 

To answer all the patient’s questions about HIV and AIDS.  The I-REACT team is willing to attend to the patient’s needs and answer all queries.  The I-REACT Clinic is open from Mondays to Fridays (except holidays), 9:00am to 5:00pm.  And if you wish to visit our clinic, please call us tel. nos. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 local 6765 to set an appointment.  

Our Team

Infectious Disease Specialists

Dr. Regina Berba - I-REACT Clinic Director and treatment hub physician

Dr. Mediadora C. Saniel

Dr. Maria Fe. R. Tayzon

Dr. Raul S. Destura

Dr. Mary Ann Lansang

Dr. Cybele Lara Abad-Alvaran

Dr. Karl Henson

Dr. Marissa Alejandria

 

Department of Psychiatry

Dr. Czarinah Pagay