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In observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, the United States Embassy in the Philippines announced the launch of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, which will begin this month.
Through PEPFAR, the US government has committed more than P875 million ($ 18.2 million) over two years for bilateral efforts between the US and the Philippines, with implementation by the US Agency. for International Development (USAID), the US Centers for Disease Control, US Health Resources and Services Administration, as well as the US Department of Defense.
The PEPFAR program will address the growing number of people living with the human immunodeficiency virus in the country, which has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region. The most recent data from the Department of Health’s Office of Epidemiology (DOH) estimates that more than 110,000 Filipinos are living with HIV in 2020: 37,000 have not been diagnosed; and among those previously diagnosed, at least 18,500 have yet to enroll in life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
This new PEPFAR program will support the Philippine government to achieve the ambitious goals 95-95-95 of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS for the control of the HIV epidemic, which means that 95 percent of those infected with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those who know their status receive treatment, and 95 percent of those receiving treatment achieve viral suppression.
Under this new assistance, USAID will work with DOH and local community organizations to implement activities in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon. These are considered the areas with the highest HIV burden in the country, where an estimated 63 percent of people living with the disease reside nationwide.
USAID will expand the country’s prevention strategy by increasing access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, strengthening HIV testing and case finding in the post-pandemic era, and connecting clients diagnosed with HIV with better treatment regimens and retention programs.
“As a friend, partner, and ally of the Filipino people, we remain committed to helping the Philippine government address this disease so that the country can meet its health development goals and progress on its path to self-reliance,” said Patrick Wesner, Acting Director of USAID Mission.
The support also comes at a critical time, as the pandemic has hampered coverage of HIV treatment and testing. Figures from January to June 2020 show a 41 percent year-on-year decrease in new HIV diagnoses and a 51 percent decrease in initiation of ART from 2019.
