In the Philippines, UNAIDS and UNDP developed a rapid survey to assess the different issues that are affecting people living with HIV under the enhanced community quarantine due to COVID-19.
Results from the survey show that the suspension of public transportation impacted the most on accessing treatment. While a number of issues were logistics-related, respondents also reported anxiety from loss of income, fears from exposure to COVID-19 while immune-compromised, antiretroviral treatment stockouts, disclosure of one’s HIV status in checkpoints, and the lack of access to psychosocial support, among others.
Based on these results, UNAIDS and UNDP have come up with a set of recommendations that were presented to the Department of Health for timely and appropriate action. The results of the survey magnified the need to develop a comprehensive treatment and care plan for people living with HIV during emergencies and crises, to ensure access to treatment, mental health services, social protection measures and protection of human rights of affected communities.
