&lt;h1 class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the Philippines&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
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&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;Written by Glenn Registered Nurse PULSE Philippines, medically reviewed by Dr.Deyn&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p1&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p2&quot;&gt;The Philippines has the highest in HIV increase rate in the Asia Pacific region so the global community is keeping an eye on us but we&#39;re still able to maintain the prevalence at one percent of the general population. The Department of Health&amp;rsquo;s goal is to decrease the cases every day at less than one percent prevalence. It also explained the Philippines, among other few countries in the world with a growing HIV cases as to compared to other countries in the world with rates already decreasing and controlled.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p2&quot;&gt;In line with this, the Philippine government through Republic Act 11166 which is an act that strengthening the Philippine Comprehensive Policy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention, Treatment, Care, and Support. The main purpose of this act is to provide to many Filipinos the Anti Retro Viral Therapy (ART) which could help stops or suppresses viral replication and thereby slowing down the progression of infection. This acts also protects the Filipino citizen to avoid discrimination, which refers to unfair treatment that distinguishes or shows preferences based on any ground such as age, gender identity, economic status, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and HIV status. It recognizes the enjoyment or exercise by all people similarly situated, of all their rights and freedom. It also protects gender expression, refers person communicates gender identity to others through clothing, hairstyles, speech pattern, and body characteristics. It also aims counselling service, that refers to the interpersonal and dynamic communication process between the patient and a trained counsellor. The objective in counseling in the context of an HIV diagnosis is to encourage the client to anxiety and stress, plan for the future, to encourage the client to explore motivations, options, and skills to stay HIV-negative person. &lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p2&quot;&gt;The Department of Health (DOH) also encouraged and offers rapid HIV diagnostic algorithm with same day test result and STI treatment or diagnosis, and offer condoms and water-based lubricants especially if you engage in anal sex because condom use is not enough when it comes to anal sex. We also give HIV prevention messages so that if you&#39;re HIV negative, you&#39;ll remain HIV negative.&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 class=&quot;p3&quot;&gt;There are six interventions that are defined to suppress the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p3&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;First&lt;/strong&gt;, stigma should be reduced through education and counselling. Providing of sexual health education is challenging in every country where HIV infection is equated to sin and immorality. Sexual health and gender-sensitivity education must be integrated and implemented in every school curriculum and should be delivered by trained teachers or counsellors in an age-appropriate and culturally-sensitive manner.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p3&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Second&lt;/strong&gt;, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be distributed on a nationwide scale. PrEP (emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is commonly effective in preventing HIV transmission, but its availability in the Philippines is limited to Metro Manila and it should be made accessible nationwide as part of comprehensive HIV prevention programs of the government.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p3&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Third&lt;/strong&gt;, integrase inhibitors should be used as first-line ART. Lamivudine-tenofovir-efavirenz (LTE) is the only fixed-dose combination ART in the Philippines. Headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are the common symptoms with efavirenz, which affects life quality and treatment adherence. A new formulated tablet of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD) is now available in several low-income countries, which is approximately 10&amp;ndash;15% cheaper than current efavirenz formulations. TLD has a lower proportion of treatment failure and provided better clinical outcomes than efavirenz-based regimens.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p4&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p5&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;PULSE CLINIC PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p6&quot;&gt;Unit 202 Plaza 100 Building, Dela Rosa Street, Legaspi Village,&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p6&quot;&gt;Makati City. 1223. PHILIPPINES&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p6&quot;&gt;www.pulse-clinic.com&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p7&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p3&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fourth&lt;/strong&gt;, awareness among health-care providers should be increased. Medical and other related curriculums should emphasize the importance of early HIV detection and that HIV infection is a chronic manageable disease. Mandatory rotations at HIV clinics for medical and nursing students will reinforce manpower, upgrade medical knowledge, and foster increased understanding of the sociocultural challenges faced by people living with HIV. Enhancing the knowledge on how by people living with HIV can improved their living in a healthy and happy manner. &lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p4&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p2&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fifth&lt;/strong&gt;, primary care physicians should be empowered to provide HIV care. The Philippines is composed of more than 7,000 islands, which can be a barrier to health-care delivery. ART is dispensed only through 95 HIV treatment hubs, which are unevenly distributed.&amp;nbsp;Hubs are located in major cities and problems arise for people living with HIV in rural areas or islands where no hubs exist. The Philippine Department of Health should strongly consider decentralizing HIV management to allow primary care physicians to prescribe and dispense ART in their general practice. This can be achieved by creating an HIV training program consisting of a standardized HIV treatment module, rotation in treatment hubs, and a qualifying exam. The rapid increase in HIV prevalence is overwhelming the health-care system, prolonging wait times, and decreasing doctor&amp;ndash;patient visit time. This poses a potential risk for patients of falling out of care.&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p3&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Finally&lt;/strong&gt;, the Philippine Government should reconsider the implementation of needle exchange programs or provide alternative evidence-based interventions to help people struggling with addiction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p8&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;p2&quot;&gt;The HIV crisis in the Philippines is an emergency. Youth education, empowerment of health-care providers, national access to PrEP and integrase inhibitors, and harm reduction are urgently needed.&lt;/p&gt;

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