PALO, Leyte — Five government hospitals in Eastern Visayas received viral load testing machines for the human immunodeficiency virus that will help guide the treatment of people living with HIV.

Jelyn Malibago, regional information officer of the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas, said the recipients of the five HIV Viral Load Machines were the Leyte Provincial Hospital, Eastern Visayas Medical Center, Biliran Provincial Hospital, Northern Samar Provincial Hospital, and the Samar Provincial Hospital.

The five hospitals were identified as strategic sites across the region where there are a substantial number of HIV patients needing assistance.

The donated testing machines, which cost P2.5 million each, also came with starter testing cartridges per institution.