The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) Director Dr. Socorro P. Lupisan recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) Muntinlupa Chapter past President Dr. Angeli G. Abel and current President Dr. Victor Victoria that solidifies a five-year partnership of providing quality dental care for RITM-HIV patients.

According to RITM HIV/AIDS Core Team (HACT) Assistant Chair Dr. Jemelyn Garcia, the collaboration was borne out of the need to address the increasing number of HIV patients who are raising oral and dental health concerns.

“The Institute spearheaded this collaboration because it is part of our commitment to constantly and consistently cater to the needs of our patients by providing better services,” explained Dr. Garcia.

Currently, RITM HACT is organizing the training course on the basics of HIV/AIDS and infection control as a preparatory step for the PDA dentists who will be handling RITM-HIV patients.

PDA Muntinlupa Dental Chapter Inc. Vice President and Outreach Program Chairman Dr. Noel Tacorda expressed his excitement about the five-year partnership as he stated that “this will strengthen PDA in terms of educating and equipping our dentists with the right knowledge and understanding on how to handle patients with HIV infection.”

He further underscored that the collaboration between RITM and PDA is an “opportunity to serve without boundaries.”

RITM expects the free dental services to be in operation by 3rd quarter this year. The Institute will be using the mobile dental van/clinic donated by the Department of Health (DOH) to provide free dental services to HIV patients.

by Allenor Enciso, Communication and Engagement Office [RITM Web Team]