2011 and 2018: Are there Differences?

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 8:07 AM

It is already 2018 and there are more than 30 newly diagnosed per day. In 2011, there were only a few diagnosed per day. One of the reasons for the increase is perhaps more and more are getting tested for HIV now. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the population has subjected to HIV testing and in Metro Manila alone the prevalence rate is already more than 5%. Though there are more HIV testing facilities now that offer free HIV testing plus the introduction of the community-based HIV screening that requires no pre- and post- counselling and can be done by trained lay men, we do hope that more people will be screened in the coming months or years.

 It is already 2018 and there are more HIV and AIDS Treatment Hubs that have been accredited by the Department of Health. Although there was an increase in number, there are hubs that are not equipped with the CD4 machines and Viral Load machines yet. Antiretroviral medicines are available, though still limited in choices, but are effective in the management of HIV. We still don't have 3rd line regimen and to have salvage therapy, we still need to purchase outside the country. That is why advocacy groups and the national HIV program focus on ARV adherence and sticking to the first line regimen. Doctors, nationwide are trained for primary care of HIV clients especially in social hygiene clinics. The HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT) is now trained and guided by the revised ARV and the PhilHealth Out-patient HIV and AIDS Treatment Package (OHAT). Though there is no standardised utilisation of the OHAT among hubs, what is important is that it is in place and can later on be strengthened.

 It is already 2018 and the campaign is getting stronger. Nationwide, we hear HIV and AIDS events. Sporadic in nature, even though there is already an epidemic in the National Capital Region, at least the HIV Program is spearheading campaigns in partnership with the local government units and non-government organisations. Media, though not enough, jumps in the bandwagon whenever there is new data released by the Epidemiology Bureau on the HIV/AIDS ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP). However, this is not enough to cause the total involvement of the country. Lack of activism is creating complacency in this period where the global community has been decreasing the cases of HIV and AIDS-related deaths. In the Philippines, because of the lack of activism which pushed for reforms before in the Philippines in the 1990's, the government is not really paying great attention to the epidemic. 

 It is already 2018 and we still have stigma and discrimination among the general population. The lack of curriculum in the schools contribute to this. In a country where conservatism is strong, even the mere though of the word condom is still taboo, especially in the provinces, what more HIV. Condom use campaign is not publicly advertised, in mass media in a country where there is a strong opposition from the conservative Catholic institutions. Up to now, clients are still rejected by some health professionals when they found out that they are HIV positive, especially for surgery or even some dental works. There is still no anti-discrimination law even though there are already some concerns of discrimination in the workplace because of one's HIV status. There is not a grievance mechanism set in place for complains for people living with HIV. However, organisations and setting foot and assisting clients. NGO's are now reaching out to agency's, companies, schools and organisations to spread awareness. We have an epidemic so when there is a lack of, organisations supplement. 

 It is already 2018 and there are agencies that provide assistance to those economically challenged people living with HIV. The Department of Social Welfare and Development assists clients with discounts in hospitalisation, provide assistance with medical and financial concerns, provides educational assistance, provides livelihood programs and burial services for indigent clients. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office provides medical assistance and hospitalization. Aside from the OHAT Package, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation provides free membership to indigent individuals, provide hospitalisation, assists in other treatment of other infection covered by their other packages. The Local Government Units can provide medical and hospital assistance to indigent clients who live in their areas of jurisdiction. The Global Fund, coursed through some local NGO's provide medical assistance. Some organisations provide direct assistance. 

 When I got diagnosed in 2011, I was alone. One testing organisation wanted to help me as long as I would give a donation. Me and my partner went through the process alone, consulting from one doctor to another, going from one hospital to another, spending almost half a million pesos for almost one month of treatment of my opportunistic infection. I stepped into unchartered territory but we were able to manage the situation. Having HIV and AIDS led me to the foundation of Project Red Ribbon which is one of the most active organisations nationwide now. 

 Though there are still things to be done, limitations to be addressed, issues to be tackled, I can say that we are doing fairly well now. What is important is that there are now systems in place and all we have to do is to consistently monitor and evaluate all processes to make sure of the effectivity and efficiency of these systems. In 7 years time, there have been lots of reforms, a lot of efforts from different agencies and LGU's, thanks to the initiative of the Department of Health and the great minds of my mentors who keep in pushing, even though hard, to break the glass ceiling so that we can have a better program for HIV awareness, prevention, testing, treatment, care and support.

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