Reimagining the Future of HIV Service Implementation in the Philippines Based on Lessons from COVID-19
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Reimagining the Future of HIV Service Implementation in the Philippines Based on Lessons from COVID‑19 Ma. Irene N. Quilantang1,2 · Amiel Nazer C. Bermudez1,3 · Don Operario1
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
The Philippines has been characterized as having one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world, following from the rapid and continued rise in new diagnoses since 2007 [1]. Community-based organizations (CBOs) play an important role in the Philippine government’s efforts to mitigate the HIV epidemic. Confronted with multiple challenges imposed by the COVID-19 epidemic, HIV-focused CBOs have implemented new practices to ensure continuous provision of treatment, care, and support services for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). In light of the country’s nascent and evolving HIV policies, newly developed strategies in the delivery of HIV services can provide a blueprint for reimagining HIV program implementation in the Philippines, both during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
Adaptations in HIV Service Delivery Due to COVID‑19 The COVID-19 epidemic emerged in the Philippines during a crucial time in the country’s response to the HIV epidemic. National capacity to test, treat, and prevent further infections was initially challenged by limitations in healthcare infrastructure, human resources to provide HIV-related services, and lack of local HIV research to guide country-specific policies [2]. The government passed the updated Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (Republic Act 11166) in 2019, committing to a multi-sectoral approach to ensure access to prevention and testing programs as well as investment * Ma. Irene N. Quilantang [email protected] 1
Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
2
College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
3
College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
in treatment, care, and support services for persons living with HIV [3]. However, unforeseen challenges emerging in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic reveal areas for considering long-term strategies to HIV service delivery by Philippines-based CBOs in future crisis conditions. The implementation of community quarantine measures due to COVID-19 in most parts of the Philippines has restricted transportation services to individuals performing essential functions. As such, CBO staff and volunteers who perform HIV screening, counseling, and referrals must work remotely, thereby restricting the number of clients they can serve. This limited capacity for HIV screening, and pre- and post-test counselling provided by CBOs can lead to delays in HIV diagnosis and further delays in the initiation of treatment. In response to the need for providing ongoing support during the COVID-19 crisis, some CBOs have designated “skeletal workforces” comprising a subset of core staff/volunteers who continue to deliver basic services to PLHIV and members of hig
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