BAGUIO, Philippines – After several years engaging in drug use that involved sharing needles and unprotected sex, Darwin Chong was officially diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 2017.
“I thought for a moment that it would be a way for me to be reconciled with my father. But instead, he got even more angry and disowned me,” Chong said.
With no one to depend on, Chong had to navigate on his own how he could gain access to treatment. His CD4 count (a measure of the immune system’s health) was extremely low, so he was immediately treated for his tuberculosis, then after he recovered, he was prescribed anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
In the first six months, he had to go for monthly check ups, then, every three months. Now, while strictly adhering to his medication and health regimen, he goes to the doctor for an annual check up.
Chong is now a staunch Baguio-based HIV awareness advocate and often speaks publicly about his experience of standing at the brink and being brought back “all by the grace of God,” he said.
Indicators
Health officials and community organizations are ramping up efforts to provide treatment, testing, and preventive care amid a rise in HIV cases across the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Baguio City has been averaging seven new HIV cases monthly since January, while Benguet province reports three cases per month, according to Darwin Babon, program manager of the National Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP) in the Cordillera.
Most of those infected in the region are biological males (92.86%): males having sex with males only, males having sex with males and females, males having sex with females only, and transgender women. The majority of cases occur among individuals aged 25 to 34 (48.19%), followed by those aged 15 to 24 (28.9%), Department of Health (DOH) data showed.
The Baguio City Health Services Office’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (HSO-RHWC) alone supports 211 people living with HIV, said local government nurse Gayhope Alangsab.
“At the early stages of infection, treatment hubs could hasten the treatment to ensure that the virus does not spread exponentially in the body and the virus can be contained and regulated through anti-retroviral therapy,” Babon said.
Collaborative efforts
As Cordillera confronts its growing HIV challenge, health advocates stress the importance of breaking barriers to treatment and fostering a culture of compassion and understanding.
According to Alangsab, an estimated 40% of new HIV infections are spread by individuals who are unaware of their status, so awareness and testing are crucial.
Chong said fear prevents people from getting tested.
Chong himself did not initially get any pre-testing counseling at a private hospital, whose staff were ill-equipped to handle HIV cases. Since he does not want other people to go through the same, he often speaks about the importance of testing and proper counseling.
A network of community-based organizations and treatment hubs offers a range of services, including free HIV screenings, condoms, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent infection.
Outreach activities and sundown services aim to reach underserved populations, while ART and other therapies, counseling, and medical support are provided by treatment hubs. Key organizations include Balay Marvi by LoveYourself, FPOP (Family Planning Organization of the Philippines) Ajuwan Community Center, Northern Sanctuary Metropolitan Community Church, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines-CAR, and Salakniban Support Group.
The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) has become a certified rapid HIV diagnostic algorithm confirmatory laboratory, reducing the wait time for test results from over a month to just one day.
PrEP for HIV prevention is now available at Balay Marvi, BGHMC, and several treatment hubs across the region: Baguio City HSO RHWC – Avong Treatment Hub, Benguet General Hospital HIV Treatment Clinic – Kandili Treatment Hub, Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center – Comfort Zone Treatment Hub, La Paz Rural Health Unit – Avong ti Namnama Treatment Hub, and Kalinga Provincial Hospital – Balay Lumin-awa Treatment Hub.
Babon said the fight against HIV requires a “whole-of-society response” to address stigma, raise awareness, and improve access to testing and care.
According to Chong, there needs to be a change in perspective so that people will get over the shame and stigma that stops them from getting tested.
He reassured those living with HIV that “there are many people and organizations that are willing to help, and even financial support is available through various government offices–as long as you’re willing to fall in line.” – Rappler.com