Name of Students: Ibrahim, Raiyanah P.

Date: October 22, 2022

Nakan, Sittie Helmah CI: Prof. Zaida Dimacisil, RN
Group: B2

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAMS

A. COVID-19 DOH PROGRAMS

B. HIV, AIDS AND STI PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM

Background
According to Department of Health (DOH), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) is the appearance of clinical manifestation of HIV infection. In this state, the person
presents with opportunistic infections of unlimited extents and possibilities. They also present
with atypical presentation and severity. Person with AIDS is very infectious, they are very ill and
also prone to aggressive kinds of cancer. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a viral
infection that attacks and slowly destroys the immune system of the infected person that leads to
“immune deficiency”. It is progressive and can lead to lack of body defense to all kinds of
infection including those that don’t normally infect man and can also lead to cancer
susceptibility.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a million people currently
acquire sexually transmitted infections (STI) which includes the Human Immunodefic iency
Virus (HIV) globally. The presence in a person of other STIs greatly increases the risk of
acquiring or transmitting HIV. It is initially seen among what we call key populations which
include Males who have Sex with Males (MSM), Transgender (TG), People Who Inject Drugs
(PWID) and Freelance Sex Workers (FSW).
The Philippines is one of the countries with rapidly increasing HIV/ AIDS cases. In the
Cordillera, a total of 385 cases has been diagnosed from 1984 to October 2017. Our prevalence
rate is 2.06% which is above the National Health Target of maintaining a 1% and below
prevalence rate. Seventy percent (70%) of the diagnosed cases are from Baguio City affecting
mostly Men having Sex with Men (MSM). Looking further, the city has an 8% HIV/AIDS
prevalence rate from 1984 to present. For the other provinces and city, prevalence rate is below
1% in 2017.
In February 2022, there were 1,054 confirmed HIV-positive individuals reported to the
HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) and were accounted to the total
(96,266)b reported cases since January 1984. Moreover, 28% (297) of individuals reported in
February had advanced HIV infection (152c based on immunologic criterion, additional 145
based on clinical criteria) at the time of testing. Ninety-five percent (1,006) of the reported cases
were male while 5% (48) were females. Of the total reported cases this period, 60% (630) were
cisgender, 3% (35) were transgender women, 25% (260) identified their gender neither as man or
woman. While 12% (129) do not have data on gender identity. Further, 50% (528) of the cases
were 25-34 years old at the time of diagnosis, 30% (311) were 15-24 years old, 18% (188) were
35-49 years old, 2% (26) were 50 years and older, and <1% (1) was less than 15 years old. The
median age was 28 years old (age range: 2-70 years old).
The regions in this reporting period with the most number of newly reported cases were
National Capital Region [NCR], CaLaBaRZon [4A], Central Luzon [3], Western Visayas [6],
and Central Visayas [7]. These regions comprised 76% of the total number of cases in this
period.
Of the total reported cases (1,054) in February 2022, 99% (1,039) were transmitted
through sexual contact. Further, <1% (5) of the reported cases have acquired HIV through
sharing of infected needles and <1% (1) through mother-to-child transmission. One percent (9)
had no data on mode of transmission at the time of reporting.
Mission: To improve access and utilization of preventive primary health care services for HIV
and STI.

Vision: To achieve ZERO new infections, ZERO discrimination, and ZERO AIDS-related death.

Goals: To reverse the trend of HIV epidemic by reducing the estimated annual infections to less
than 7,000 cases by 2022.

DOH Strategies
Program Activities
With regard to the prevention and fight against stigma and discrimination, the following are the
strategies and interventions:
1. Availability of free voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Service;
2. 100% Condom Use Program (CUP) especially for entertainment establishments;
3. Peer education and outreach;
4. Multi-sectoral coordination through Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC);
5. Empowerment of communities;
6. Community assemblies to reduce stigma;
7. Augmentation of resources of social Hygiene Clinics; and
8. Procured male condoms distributed as education materials during outreach.

PhilHealth Benefit Package

 Philhealth Circular 011-2015 & 2018-0004: Outpatient HIV and AIDS Treatment
(OHAT) Package
This is an out-patient benefit package for people living with HIV (PLHIV)
needing anti-retroviral treatment (ART) based on the current treatment guidelines
prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH). The policy is defined in PhilHealth
Circular 011-2015.

Stand-alone HIV and satellite treatment hubs are health care institutions operating
independently from a PhilHealth- accredited facility. They are recognized as such by the
 DOH and are responsible to provide ART and other services to PLHIVs based on current
treatment guidelines. Satellite treatment hubs are also called primary HIV Care facilities.
In order to increase the access of PhilHealth members and dependents to the OHAT
Package, PhilHealth will engage these facilities as providers of the Package.

Trainings
 HIV Counseling and Testing Training.
This is designed for health care providers and lay people providing HIV services to
enhance knowledge, skills and attitude in providing HIV counseling including pre and
post-test counseling to clients who access this service at the health facilities. This is
organized by the Centers for Health Development.

 Primary HIV Care Training for health service providers.

This is designed for facilities that intend to become an HIV treatment facility.
This is organized by the Centers for Development.

Program Accomplishments
As of the first quarter of 2011, the program has attained particular targets for the three
major final outputs: health policy and program development; capability building of local
government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders; and leveraging services for priority health
programs.

For the health policy and program development, the Manual of Procedures/Standards/
Guidelines is already finalized and disseminated. The ARV Resistance surveillance among
People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on Treatment is being implemented through the Research
Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). Moreover, both the Strategic Plan 2012-2016 for
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and the Strategic Plan 2012-2016 for Most at Risk
Young People and HIV Prevention and Treatment are being drafted.

With regard to capability building, the Training Curriculum for HIV Counseling and
Testing is already revised. Twenty five priority LGUs provided support in strengthening Local
AIDS councils. As of March 2011, there were already 17 Treatment Hubs nationwide.

Lastly, for the leveraging services, baseline laboratory testing is being provided while
male condoms are being distributed through social Hygiene Clinics. A total of 1,250 PLHIV
were provided with treatment and 4,000 STI were treated.

Nursing Responsibilities
 Assess care needs and coordinate care delivery of patients with HIV/AIDS.
 Promote health and a safe environment for patients with HIV/AIDS.
 Practice collaboratively and in congruence with principles of cultural diversity and
inclusion.
 Promote community health to maximize health outcomes and minimize health disparities.
 Demonstrate compassion and respect for the inherent dignity of all patients.
 Promote the rights, health, and safety of the patient.
 Collaborate to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health
disparities.
 Ensure that individuals with HIV/AIDS remain in care, adhere to their medications, and
ultimately maintain viral suppression.
 Educate patients about HIV, providing support for treatment adherence, and assisting
with navigation of care delivery.
 Acquire updated training in evidence-based prevention strategies to best assist their
patients in developing a tailored plan to reduce risk/harm of HIV/AIDS and STDs.
 Be educated about barriers to HIV care and prevention, and assume leadership roles
within systems of care to improve access, quality, and cultural competence.
 Acknowledge that sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, stigma, interpersonal
violence and sexual objectification all impact the health care of individuals belonging to
certain groups must address these issues.
 Act as patient navigators, by assisting patients, families, and communities to access
appropriate services.
 Provide care that is individualized to meet each patient’s needs.