With limited movement and accessibility to resources under the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman through its University Health Service is offering Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) refills and other related services for free to people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) via delivery.

The initiative comes from the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines, Inc. (SHIP), a non-stock, non-profit organization that offers high-quality and affordable HIV and primary care to communities in need. The services and the treatment intended for PLHIV can be availed whether they are inside or outside of Metro Manila.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ART is used by PLHIV to suppress the virus and to stop the progression of the HIV disease. At present, consistently taking antiretroviral drugs is one of the most effective ways to manage HIV as it slows down its progression and ensures people living with the virus lead normal or near-normal lives. 

Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) Refills and Consults

ART and other related services for UPD community members may be availed FREE thru the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines, Inc. (SHIP), during this time of Enhanced Community Quarantine.#ARTinECQ#StopHIVAIDS pic.twitter.com/sMpcXWm1dH

— UP Diliman (@Official_UPD) March 30, 2020

Those seeking treatment who are residing in Metro Manila and nearby areas should contact 023-4913479 during clinic hours from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., to have their medications delivered via Grab, Lalamove or other delivery services. Meanwhile,  those living outside Metro Manila should contact [email protected].

The following details are required by UP Diliman Health Service for those who want to avail of the services:

1. Name of recipient
2. Contact number of recipient
3. Choice of pickup at LBC branch (specify which) or at home (indicate home address)
4. Unique Identifier Code (UIC) (XX-YY-00-mmddyyyy)

Where, XX is first two letters of your mother’s name, YY is first two letters of your father’s name, 00 is birth order, and mmddyyyy is your birth date.

5. ART regimen
6. Missed pills in the last 30 days
7. Remaining number of pills

This is a very important cause since according to the WHO, PLHIV with an advanced disease and aren’t taking antiretroviral treatment have an increased risk of infections and related complications. 

Likewise, apart from being considered a high-risk country during the pandemic, the Philippines has also been one of the countries with the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific with an increase of 203 percent from 2010 to 2018.

Header photo courtesy of Inquirer.net

Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.

Read more:

The HIV epidemic and its many faces

HIV/AIDS health services will be more accessible to Filipinos via new law

HIV treatment could stop transmission of the disease, says this new study