By Marites B. Paneda

QUEZON CITY, March 21 -- People living with HIV(PLHIV) are assured medication and access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs even in the midst of the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (EQC) to contain the spread of the infectious COVID-19. The Department of Health (DOH) in its advisory urged DOH-designated treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities to exhaust all possible means for PHLIV to have reliable access to treatment without putting them at risk to exposure to COVID-19.

Among the proposed measures are:

Use of available courier service for pick-up and delivery of ARVs. Cost of service may be shouldered by the treatment facility, the client, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) PhilHealth Outpatients HIV and AIDS Treatment (OHAT) package and among others.
HIV Treatment Hub-designated ARV access points like Local Government Unit (LGU)Facilities, CBOs, and among others.
Use of LGU vehicle for delivery of ARVs at the agreed meeting point.
Use of electronic or SMS appointment information, as proof of entry in areas under community quarantine, during extreme instances where visit to primary treatment facility is inevitable.

Further, treatment facilities shall ensure mechanisms are in place for coordination and communication between facilities, partner organizations/support groups and PLHIV. Read more via gov.ph