Hope for PLHIV: LoveYourself announces arrival of long-awaited ARVs

LoveYourself Inc., a non-government organization, announced the arrival of long-awaited antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV (PLHIV), describing the development as a significant step toward ensuring uninterrupted treatment for thousands of Filipinos who rely on life-saving HIV medication.

“Para sa ating mga PLHIV: huwag na kayong mag-alala. Dumating na ang mga gamot. Bukod dito, patuloy din naming ginamit ang mga nauna naming na-procure na suplay upang masigurong walang mapuputulan ng treatment habang hinihintay natin ang pagdating ng mga bagong stocks,” the group announced on its social media pages.

LoveYourself said it hopes the arrival of the medicines will mark the beginning of a stronger and more reliable procurement and distribution system for HIV commodities across the country.

“Umaasa kami na ito na ang simula ng mas matatag na procurement at distribution system para sa HIV commodities sa buong bansa,” it said, adding that strengthening the country’s HIV supply chain is essential to prevent future shortages and ensure that treatment hubs serving the largest number of clients receive adequate and timely supplies of ARV medicines.

“Sana ay patuloy nating mapabuti ang supply chain at mabigyang prayoridad ang mga hubs na may pinakamalaking bilang ng mga kliyenteng nangangailangan ng serbisyo. Sa LoveYourself pa lamang, halos 15,000 na ang aming mga kliyenteng kasalukuyang nasa treatment,” the group added.

Stressing that addressing the country’s HIV epidemic requires going beyond treatment, LoveYourself urged the government to invest more heavily in HIV prevention programs, including wider access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV testing, HIV self-testing, and other evidence-based preventive services.

LoveYourself expressed its gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for responding to its appeals regarding the shortage of HIV commodities, as well as to newly appointed Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Jose S. “Brix” Pujalte Jr. for swiftly addressing the issue during the first days of his tenure.

“Nais muna naming magpasalamat sa Office of the President sa pakikinig at pag-aksyon sa mga liham at apelang aming ipinadala hinggil sa kakulangan ng HIV commodities sa bansa,” it said.

“Maraming salamat din kay DOH Secretary Dr. Brix Pujalte sa mabilis na pag- aksyon sa usaping ito. Nakakaengganyo makita na sa mga unang araw pa lamang ng kanyang panunungkulan ay may agarang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng ating HIV community,” it added.

The organization likewise expressed optimism about working with the new leadership of the DOH, saying that while significant challenges remain, meaningful progress can be achieved through continued collaboration among government, civil society, healthcare providers, and the HIV community.

“Excited kaming makatrabaho ang bagong kalihim ng kalusugan. Marami pa tayong kailangang gawin, pero marami rin tayong pwedeng makamit kung sama-sama tayong kikilos,” it said.