Department of Health (DOH) - Philippines

It was critical to understand patterns of sexual behavior and drug-use among Filipino most-at-risk adolescents (MARA) to establish an effective prevention program and deliver needed services.

The Philippines is one of only seven countries with an increasing number of new HIV cases. Since the population of 94 million people is big, if the HIV prevalence reaches 1%, that will mean 940,000 Filipinos will be infected with HIV. The country cannot afford this predicament.

In 2011, the fourth round of the Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) was led by the Department of Health.

The objective of the IHBSS is to determine the: (a) prevalence of HIV and syphilis among the key affected populations and establish trend over time, (b) behavioral factors that are associated with STI and HIV transmission and their effect on the HIV epidemic in the country, (c) outcome of STI and HIV intervention programs and (d) to provide strategic information to guide STI and HIV policies, programs and services.

The policy on HIV Counseling and Testing is updated to provide quality standards in the conduct of HIV testing services consistent with the 2015 WHO Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Testing Services.

The DOH Administrative Order No. 2017-0019 or the Policies and Guidelines in the Conduct of HIV Testing Services (HTS) in Health Facilities defines HIV Treatment hubs as a hospital with an organized HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT) that facilitates in-patient and out-patient prevention, treatment, care and support services to PLHIV including but not limited to antiretroviral therapy, HIV testing services, clinical management, patient monitoring, and other care and support services.

Data from the DOH - Epidemiology Bureau shows that only 44% of all people diagnosed with HIV from 2010 to 2015 were started on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).

Pregnant women with STI can transmit the infection to their children, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.

The strategy elaborated the health sectors’ contribution toward a broader, multi-sectoral response to HIV. It is anchored on the 5th AMTP and consistent with the over-all direction of the country’s health agenda as embodied in the Universal Health Care.

The Health Sector Plan (HSP) HIV Prevention and Control Operational Plan 2018 - 2020 is a product of a series of consultations and participatory processes involving HIV program managers, representatives of the key populations (KP) communities, support civil society organizations (CSO), and the HIV Technical Working Group (TWG).