FEATURE: 19 HIV patients benefit from treatment hub at Balay Lumin-awa in Kalinga to continue living normal lives; Dr. Astudillo says they are always ready to help

Tabuk City, Kalinga — Now on its first year of providing treatment to people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), Balay Lumin-awa in Kalinga continues to help patients live normal, healthy lives, with 19 individuals currently enrolled at the hub.

Established in September 2025, Balay Lumin-awa, located at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Bulanao, Tabuk City, serves as the province’s official treatment hub for people living with HIV.

In an interview with Dr. Rilyn Grace Astudillo, KPH–HIV and AIDS Core Team Chairperson, she shared that Kalinga has recorded 58 HIV cases as of June 2025, and 19 of these patients are now undergoing treatment at Balay Lumin-awa.

Dr. Astudillo explained that the services offered at Balay Lumin-awa include treatment, testing, and preventive medication such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) — a medicine available to HIV-negative individuals who may have had unprotected sex or have been exposed to risk. PrEP helps block the virus from entering the body and, when taken properly, reduces the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99%.

“Adda dagiay meds tayo. Kung kailangan ng referral, ire-refer natin sa specialists. Example, kung alam nilang meron silang exposure, meron tayong tinatawag na Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis medicine na pwedeng i-avail ng HIV-negative naman. So, hindi lang po positive ang kine-cater natin kundi pati yung may risk behavior o yung posibleng ma-expose,” Astudillo explained.

She clarified, however, that they do not promote the use of PrEP as a justification for unprotected sex, emphasizing that it should only be taken as a precaution when one suspects possible exposure during a risky encounter.

Trained to attend to HIV/AIDS patients, Dr. Astudillo assured that PLHIVs are well cared for at Balay Lumin-awa and that their identities and information remain confidential. She added that all staff members are trained to provide the patients’ basic medical and emotional needs.

Dr. Astudillo also shared the positive outcomes of consistent treatment and the improvements in patients’ lives.

“Life is not over when you get infected. Ti masapul lang ket kasla agtake ti maintenance to keep the viral load low. The treatment keeps the viral load so low that it becomes less and less likely for one to infect another,” said Astudillo, expressing hope that one day, HIV will be completely eradicated.