Manila: The United States is providing support to improve and expand the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) care and prevention services in the Philippines, the United States Embassy in Manila said Wednesday. With funding support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will partner with Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) to develop, test, and scale HIV care approaches in the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, the partnership will focus on online health services and the direct delivery of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a drug that, when taken as scheduled, prevents the transmission of HIV. ‘This partnership reflects the United States’ global commitment to partner with private sector companies to accelerate progress in the fight against HIV,’ the embassy said. ‘Together, USAID and AC Health will help more Filipinos access the services they need without fear or judgment, combat stigma, and promote the lifesaving
message of U=U, or Undetectable equals Untransmittable,’ it added.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson expressed her expectations for the partnership, highlighting the importance of leveraging resources and skills from the private sector to address the HIV epidemic. ‘As your partner in prosperity, the United States remains committed to working together for a future rooted in compassion, understanding, and improved access to healthcare for all,’ she said during the partnership launch.
Under the partnership, AC Health will integrate its KonsultaMD telehealth application, Generika Drugstore chain, and Healthway Medical Network into local HIV networks to bring prevention solutions to more Filipinos, especially people living with HIV and those at an elevated risk of contracting it. AC Health will get onboard qualified health service providers on the KonsultaMD platform; expand HIV awareness and screening services beyond health facilities such as in schools and workplaces; and increase the commercial
availability of PrEP and other lifesaving technologies through their importation and distribution channels, IE Medica and MedEthix and their Generika Drugstore chains.
“This collaboration brings us closer to bridging gaps in HIV prevention and testing, ensuring these critical services reach more communities nationwide,” said AC Health chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala. The USAID will support community engagement, provide technical assistance to Healthway Medical Network, and introduce private sector models for HIV service delivery. USAID will also train healthcare providers, share research, expand telehealth access through KonsultaMD, and coordinate with partners to provide free HIV self-testing kits.
USAID and AC Health launched the partnership on Nov. 26 ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. Since 2020, the USAID through PEPFAR has contributed more than PHP2 billion (USD34.7 million) to support the Philippines’ HIV response, making it one of the largest bilateral donors.
