LABit Dx, a subsidiary of Philab Holdings, recently conducted a seminar to raise awareness on the importance of early screening of HIV, in celebration of World AIDS Day. The event focused on the availability of HIV rapid and accurate point-of-care or POC tools in the country.
Currently, HIV screening test kits can only be used under the supervision of healthcare physicians and cannot be administered by a regular individual. The Department of Health still needs to set specific guidelines on HIV self-testing.
“Awareness on HIV early screening is important because most HIV-positive individuals are not aware that they are actually infected, nor do they even want to be tested in the first place. What most of us forget is that the earlier you get diagnosed, the earlier you can be treated. You also have lesser chance to transmit the infection,” said Therese Perez, president of LABit Dx.
The discussion was led by Dr. Robert Passas, president of EMEA and APAC Regions of Chembio Diagnostics Systems Inc. and attended by various local NGOs and industry leaders such as Ronnievinn Pagtakhan of Love Yourself PH and Nick Magno Jr. of Positive Action Foundation Philippines.
“Once guidelines on self-testing has been set by the DOH, we can eventually discuss how other institutions and organizations can utilize alternative products.” said Ico Rodulfo, president of Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation.
LABit Dx and Chembio will work together and develop an HIV screening test that is projected to be available within the region by 2018.
LABit Dx is a biotechnology subsidiary of Philab Holdings Corp. The core business of the company is to provide unique early screening tools for professional and self-use. It launched its first FDA certified Dengue NS1 screening test last March.
Chembio Diagnostics Systems Inc. is a US-based developer that manufactures and commercializes diagnostic solutions. Chembio products are available in over 40 countries worldwide, of which some are World Health Organization-prequalified.
