1. As a medical technology student, what is the importance of understanding RA 11166?

Enumerate at least 4 ways how are you going to promote HIV awareness. (25 points)
- Republic Act 11166 expands our knowledge of HIV. It adds information that is
essential for people who are negative and positive. Understanding the law
mentioned above is necessary for medical technologists as they can also be
infected with HIV through needles in the syringes they use to collect blood. With
the knowledge I gained from RA 11166, I am much more aware of what to avoid
and what to do regarding HIV. Furthermore, even a student can be an
instrument in sharing information with other people. Let us remember that we
can make a change in our own little ways.

In line with that, here are a few ways we can do as a student to promote HIV
awareness:
o Peer Education Programs. This could be done with the approval of the
school administration initiated by the organizations. It could also be
done with your peers, classmates, or schoolmates. The goal of this one
is to educate as many people as you can.
o Sharing HIV information on social media. People are now on their
phones all the time browsing different social media platforms. It is free
to be an advocate or volunteer for HIV awareness so you will lose
nothing with some posting and sharing HIV information on your feed.
o Talk with your family about HIV. They are the ones closest to you and
as a medical technologist student or an aspiring healthcare
professional, it is our duty to educate or correct misinformation they
have regarding HIV. You are not just raising awareness but also
breaking the stigma with older generations.
o Distribution of pamphlets related to HIV written in English and Filipino.
This is a way to help your community. Through the pamphlets, you raise
awareness in your community and it is inclusive as it is written in two
different languages to accommodate people who did not finish school.

2. Discrimination and bullying created a social stigma toward PLHIV. In your own way, how
are you going to break this stigma? (25 points)
- When I was in junior high school, I joined in an organization that specializes in
raising awareness about HIV, AIDS, and STIs. We had an event in a hospital
and part of that event is making us feel how those positive patients feel. We
closed our eyes and all we hear is all the discrimination and hate they could get
because they are persons living with HIV. As a firm believer that changes should
start within yourself and share slowly with the people around you, social media
can be a strong weapon to break the stigma. As previously stated, people are
always on their phones browsing social media so sharing, posting, or debunking
myths or misconceptions about people with HIV can be a big help. Moreover,
encouraging people to attend HIV/AIDS seminars could be a great help not just
with awareness but also in breaking the stigma.

3. In your own opinion, does the rule of STRICT MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITY work in
favor of the public? why or why not? (25 points)
- No, because medical confidentiality does respect the privacy of a patient. At the
same time, the goal of it is to protect patients’ information and results. This could
be seen as a sacrifice of a hospital from one’s perspective. However, it could
also be a win or advantage for a healthcare facility. Following strict medical
confidentiality could earn the patient’s and the patient’s family’s trust in regard to
the information they give. The trust and security of patients are far more valuable
than losing patients.
4. What is compulsory HIV Testing? When is it allowed? Provide your legal basis or
justification. (25 points)
- Compulsory HIV testing is imposed upon an individual without asking for
consent because it is deemed by the law. It could be compulsory because of the
use of force or intimidation, and the use of testing as a pre-requisite for other
purposes. The circumstances when compulsory HIV testing is allowed are stated
in Section 30 of Republic Act 11166. As stated there, it is allowed or given when
the person is charged with any offenses punishable by the mentioned articles
such as Articles 263, 264, 265, 266, 338 of Republic Act 3815 and Article 266(a)
amended by Republic Act 8353. The second circumstance given is when there
is a relevant issue that needs to be resolved under Executive Order No. 209, for
example, if a girl is raped by his own father and the girl acquired HIV upon
examination to solve it, the father shall undergo testing. Lastly, it is a pre-
requisite for the donation of blood and organs in compliance with the laws, RA
7170 and RA 7719.