SO FAR, NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY MADE AT THIS TIME, AND JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH A GOOD TIME TO TALK ABOUT HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY. KOAT UNM HEALTH EXPERT DOCTOR ASH IS HERE TO TELL US ABOUT UNM TRUMAN HEALTH SERVICES. UNM TRUMAN HEALTH SERVICES IS A SPECIALTY CLINIC THAT PROVIDES CARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AND HEPATITIS C, AND IS A LEADER IN HIV PREVENTION. TRUMAN ALSO OFFERS GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, MAKING SURE EVERYONE GETS HIGH QUALITY CARE WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION. WHAT MAKES TRUMAN UNIQUE IS THAT CARE IS PROVIDED BY A TEAM THAT INCLUDES DOCTORS, NURSES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PHARMACISTS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT STAFF ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO MEET A PATIENT’S NEEDS. WHO SHOULD THINK ABOUT GETTING HIV TESTING? THE CDC RECOMMENDS THAT EVERYONE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 64 GET TESTED FOR HIV AT LEAST ONCE, BUT ANYONE WHO IS SEXUALLY ACTIVE SHOULD CONSIDER REGULAR TESTING. TRUMAN OFFERS FREE RAPID HIV AND HEPATITIS C TESTING, AND PATIENTS CAN RECEIVE RESULTS IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. TESTING IS CONFIDENTIAL, QUICK AND ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT COMES BACK POSITIVE? NO ONE HAS TO GO THROUGH THAT ALONE. IF SOMEONE RECEIVES A POSITIVE RAPID HIV TEST, THEY’RE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED WITH THE NURSE WHO HELPS TO EXPLAIN THE NEXT STEPS, ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CONNECT THEM TO CARE. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE PATIEN
Truman Health offers special care, support, and confidentiality
The clinic has doctors, nurses, behavioral health specialists, and pharmacists working together to treat the patient.
There are health care issues that primarily affect the LGBTQ+ populations. However, finding sympathetic healthcare for many can be difficult.KOAT health expert Abinash Achrekar, M.D. — better known as Dr. Ash — knows where there is considerate, compassionate healthcare for them close to home.”UNM Truman Health Services is a specialty clinic that provides care for people with HIV and Hepatitis C, and is a leader in HIV prevention,” Dr. Ash said. “Truman also offers gender-affirming care — making sure everyone gets high quality care without any discrimination.”Truman Health Services takes a team approach to providing care, Dr. Ash said. Instead of being the patient of one doctor, the clinic has doctors, nurses, behavioral health specialists, and pharmacists working together for the patient’s overall well-being.One of the services the clinic provides is free and rapid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C, with results given in less than 20 minutes, Dr. Ash said.”Testing is confidential, quick, and one of the best ways to take care of yourself,” he said.Dr. Ash said the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once. For people who are sexually active, regular testing is something to consider. And if the test comes back positive, a whole other protocol kicks in.”No one has to go through that alone,” Dr. Ash said. “If someone receives a positive rapid HIV test, they’re immediately connected with a nurse who helps to explain the next steps, answer questions, and connect them to care. The goal is to make patients feel supported and receive treatment as quickly as possible.”
There are health care issues that primarily affect the LGBTQ+ populations. However, finding sympathetic healthcare for many can be difficult.
KOAT health expert Abinash Achrekar, M.D. — better known as Dr. Ash — knows where there is considerate, compassionate healthcare for them close to home.
“UNM Truman Health Services is a specialty clinic that provides care for people with HIV and Hepatitis C, and is a leader in HIV prevention,” Dr. Ash said. “Truman also offers gender-affirming care — making sure everyone gets high quality care without any discrimination.”
Truman Health Services takes a team approach to providing care, Dr. Ash said. Instead of being the patient of one doctor, the clinic has doctors, nurses, behavioral health specialists, and pharmacists working together for the patient’s overall well-being.
One of the services the clinic provides is free and rapid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C, with results given in less than 20 minutes, Dr. Ash said.
“Testing is confidential, quick, and one of the best ways to take care of yourself,” he said.
Dr. Ash said the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once. For people who are sexually active, regular testing is something to consider. And if the test comes back positive, a whole other protocol kicks in.
“No one has to go through that alone,” Dr. Ash said. “If someone receives a positive rapid HIV test, they’re immediately connected with a nurse who helps to explain the next steps, answer questions, and connect them to care. The goal is to make patients feel supported and receive treatment as quickly as possible.”
