HIV and the Philippines

In a few weeks, the Living with HIV in the Philippines Blog will be reaching its seven years of existence. Its evolution in September 2011 gave rise to the advocacy, which then led to the formation of the Project Red Ribbon, one of the strongest HIV and AIDS organizations in the country, evidenced by its current partners, the Department of Health - National AIDS/STI Prevention and Control Program, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - AIDS Research Group, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Department of Social Welfare ad Development, the National Youth Council, the St. Lukes Global, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs and Teleperformance Philippines. Adding to our credibility as an organisation is our strong ties with the Regional -DOH Offices and the different local government units all over the country. We are also recognised by the World Health Organisation and the UNAIDS.

But despite our efforts over the years, the question still remains to be answered. Did we make progress when it comes to reversing the HIV epidemic in the Philippines? Can we say that we made an impact though the cases in the country of HIV continues to rise?

The programs of Project Red Ribbon continue to solve issues on human rights related to HIV and AIDS such as the right to HIV education, the right to quality health service and right against stigma and discrimination which are fundamentals of acceptance of sexual diversity and social inclusion. Though the Foundation can't solve issues immediately, we are trying to address issues by assisting government agencies in the formulation of guidelines for programs for HIV screening, antiretroviral therapy, and HIV and AIDS health benefits. Through consultations, we try to make the HIV programs a priority in cities in municipalities. In this way, we don't give band aid solutions to issues such as clients with HIV who have no money for transportation to and from the hospital, or clients not having money to pay for their laboratory tests and medicines for opportunistic infections, or clients being discriminated at work, school or place of abode. By our efforts we don't look at today but look for solutions so that these issues won't happen again in the future. 

The cases continue to increase and this can be attributed to everyone's effort to strengthen the education campaign and promote HIV testing. But there are still things to be done. The government and NGO's can't do it alone. The private sector needs to step up. They have the funds and technology. They also have the manpower. 

Project Red Ribbon will continue to make impact both at the grassroot level and the top level. We will continue to be influencers to impact change.