Balay Lumin-awa treatment hub gets accredited to fight HIV cases in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga - To fight the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the province, the Balay Lumin-Awa Treatment Hub at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital has been officially accredited by the Department of Health (DOH) as an HIV/AIDS treatment facility.

In 2023, based on the latest report from the DOH-CAR, Kalinga has 8 cases of HIV; thus, the hub is part of the agency’s proactive effort to reduce the number of HIV-positive individuals in the province through the early detection and treatment against the virus.

Likewise, it is in line with the provincial government’s health initiatives under its Lumin-Awa Kalinga Eight Point Agenda, which aims to enhance the delivery of healthcare services throughout the province.

The Balay Lumin-awa is located behind St. Mary's Dialysis Center within the KPH compound. Among its main services include HIV testing, counseling, anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and continued medical support, as cited by the Kalinga Information Office.

To protect its patients’ privacy, the hub assures that all its service provisions are confidential, non-discriminatory, non-judgmental, and open to everyone, irrespective of where one comes from or their situation in life.

In case of inquiries or any other concerns regarding the virus, Balay Lumin-Awa is open for consultations. Individuals may reach out to the hub directly or contact them through their CP# 095261809.

For its part, the PLGU, in partnership with the DOH, continues to conduct HIV awareness campaigns and HIV testing, as part of essential components of early detection and care to those infected residents.

Following the facility’s accreditation, Kalinga is now the 4th province in CAR to have an HIV treatment hub.

Other provinces include Abra with the Abong ti Namnama (House of Hope) in La Paz, Apayao with its hub at the Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center in Luna, Baguio with its HIV treatment hubs at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Baguio City Health Services Office, and Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital.