DOH commits to HIV treatment amid coronavirus pandemic

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday joined the observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, with the aim to affirm its commitment to address the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic and break the stigma surrounding it.

The event celebrated every third Sunday of May remembers those who have died due to complications related to Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

This year’s theme, “We Remember, We Take Action, We Live Beyond HIV”, likewise targets to increase public awareness on HIV and AIDS.

“Today we join the rest of the world in honoring the lives of people who have succumbed to AIDS and in celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to help increase HIV awareness and address HIV-related stigma and discrimination,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a news release.

“As we commemorate the AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure continuous access to HIV services and strengthen our efforts to control and eventually reverse the HIV epidemic,” he added.

Effects of pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic challenged the uptake of HIV services.

DOH data as of December 2020 showed HIV testing decreased by 61 percent and treatment initiation was reduced by 28 percent in 2020.

Moreover, only 70 percent of the estimated 111,400 Filipinos who are living with HIV in 2020 are aware of their status, while only 61 percent are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

A total of 4,574 deaths have been reported between 1984 and 2020.

With the pandemic being a major deterrent to accessibility, the DOH and partners from local government units through its Social Hygiene Clinics (SHCs), public and private HIV treatment facilities, community-based organizations (CBOs), and advocacy groups are working together to ensure continuous provision of HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support services for key populations with primary focus on ensuring continued support for people living with HIV.

In line with ensuring continuous provision of HIV services, the DOH encouraged key populations and all interested individuals to get tested and know their status, emphasizing that HIV testing is free in SHCs or Reproductive Health and Wellness Centers and CBO-run community centers.

Not the end

DOH further called on people living with HIV (PLHIV) to access free HIV treatment and other services and adhere to the treatment regimen.

“HIV is not a death sentence. With access to the right information and life-saving treatment, HIV can be managed and those afflicted with the disease can lead happy, healthy, and normal lives. To our PLHIV, help is always available. We urge you to access our free services and we assure you that support will continue even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. You do not have to go through this alone. Do not hesitate to contact your health care providers for any concern, especially in these trying times,” Duque stated.

As part of the priority Covid-19 vaccination group A3, DOH encourages PLHIV to seek medical clearance prior to vaccination and get vaccinated once cleared by their physicians.

The list of HIV treatment facilities can be accessed through https://bit.ly/hivtxhubs while the DOH website and hotline at (02) 8651-7800 and the Philippine National AIDS Council Facebook page (@pnacph) have additional HIV-related information. (PR)