Helen Madamba

Every Thursday we have the KAAMBAG Webinars on TEACHCebu (Targetting Enhanced Awareness and Control of HIV in Cebu) from 7PM to 8PM on facebook live. Thank you for joining me tonight. #HealthXPH Have a good weekend.

There should be a balance between really getting the accurate data through the HTS forms against rapid screening with the main target being to #knowyourstatus #HealthXPH

Happy birthday to your dad @stephaniemiaco.bsky.social #HealthXPH

#HealthXPH

T3 is next. Do suggest sustainable innovations that can remove structural barriers (like stigma and discrimination) to increase uptake of HIV testing (making the process simpler) #HealthXPH

Hello Stephanie!

Nice timing for you to join us. We're on T3 and stigma on HIV testing is one of the challenges to increasing HIV case findings. Any bright ideas about sustainable innovations for this? #HealthXPH

T3 is about removing structural barriers like stigma and discrimination, ensuring healthcare access to the young key population. Any suggestions? Bright ideas?

Maybe chatbots can also function as peer navigators and HIV case finders? Websites and corporate accounts fit HIV advocacy provide statistics, DOH issuances and directory of HIV treatment facilities. #HealthXPH

They are most likely on Tiktok, Grinder, Instagram. #HealthXPH there are peer navigators and HIV case finders who have accounts to encourage their "chatmates" to get tested and enroll to PrEP.

Let's move on to T2.
I'm sure social media has a role in offering prevention and treatment options to reduce HIV incidence. Can you share your ideas? #HealthXPH

It would be nice to utilize AI for these HIV prevention and treatment strategies.

We were invited by the Girl Scouts of the Philippines where we gave lectures and panel discussion and even offered free HIV testing. #HealthXPH It's an opportunity more for values education and normalizing HIV testing more than anything else.

Back in 2016 to 2018 our youth group SUPACA would organize HIV youth forums at barangay halls and schools where the kids are the speakers and we just help out with the Q&A. #HealthXPH

The youth of today are passionate advocates of what is meaningful to them. Arthur Ashe once said that we should start where we are, use what we have and do what we can.

The power of youth can change the world. They just need to be guided to the right direction. #HealthXPH

Imagine 1,000 PLHIVs enrolled to a hub, the Philhealth would have to pay P58.5M every year for HIV treatment, care and support. This could have been funds spent to prevent stroke, heart attack and manage chronic diseases #HealthXPH

It would be an advantage to the government financially if we can stop HIV spread. Imagine that Philhealth OHAT package pays P14,625 per quarter. If you had 1,000 PLHIVs their treatment would cost P58.5M each year #HealthXPH

Yeah, the HIV incidence in the Philippines is FAST and FURIOUS. Last year, Sec Ted called for national public health emergency to be declared for HIV. #healthXPH

Sharing ahead T1 to jumpstart our discussion: let's talk about youth-led leadership. How do we empower the youth to be agents of change to advocate for STI/HIV prevention? #HealthXPH

Good evening doc Remo! How do you say this is a timely topic? I want to be able to use AI for patient care and to reach out to our PLHIV patients, but I dont know how. Help? #HealthXPH

Met up with HIV researchers this morning. Hope for the best!

Good evening #HealthXPH

HELEN here from Cebu, moderating tonight's tweetchat on HIV and how we can reach the young key population to stop HIV spread. Who's online? How was your week?

My friends Lay and Craches facilitated our support group for WLHIV this morning.

Our census of pediatric PLHIV has more than doubled from 12 patients in 2023 to 33 patients at the end of 2025, both thru PMTCT and sexual transmission. This inspired me to choose open discussion on how we can reach our young key affected population to stop the spread of HIV. #HealthXPH

HOW DO WE REACH THE YOUNG KEY POPULATION TO STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV? I am an HIV/AIDS Core Team (HACT) physician. One thing that has me worried this past year is that our census of pediatric PLHIV has more…

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #healthXPH tweetchat as we discuss about HIV @endocrinewitch.bsky.social @bonedocph.bsky.social @docbuboy.bsky.social @stephaniemiaco.bsky.social

Pre-chat blogpost here: HOW DO WE REACH THE YOUNG KEY POPULATION TO STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV? medium.com/p/how-do-we-...

As a patient, it is reassuring to know and trust one's doctor - that they have your best interests at heart, and that they are watching out for you and the best outcome for you. #HealthXPH

This is what takes up most of my clnic visits because we need to make sure patients understand and that they ask the questions they have. #HealthXPH

This is when I reassure patients that God will not give us anything we can't handle. #HealthXPH

Yes, but sometimes action might cause more harm than benefit. #HealthXPH

It's ok to call for help. At least the patient sees that we're doing extra effort for the patient. #HealthXPH

That's a possibility. We've had patients who successfully committed suicide after a positive diagnosis. We've also encountered violent patients. That's why we have contingency plans and have security nearby. Disclosing HIV status is difficult. #HealthXPH

I usually explain algorithm plans to patients depending on diagnostics like ultrasound or biopsy, then we proceed with our plans. Somehow patients accept that doctors do not know everything, and that's the justification for further diagnostic work up. #HealthXPH

I look for an accompanying or significant other so that someone can provide support. Then I explain the diagnosis and the treatment plan. #HealthXPH it's difficult. We also need to watch out for our own safety and security.

I actually spent a large part of the day sleeping off a migraine headache. It was night na when I woke up. #HealthXPH