Positive Action Foundation Philippines on Thursday launched the PAFPIcares Community Center in Malate, Manila with the goal of offering a wider range of assistance to individuals within the Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) community.
The PAFPI Community Center, which was made possible with the support of USAID, PEPFAR and Epic-HIV Project, is set to function as a one-stop resource center, offering education, prevention, testing, and care services pertaining to HIV/AIDS.
The services offered at the center include HIV screening and testing and counseling for disclosure and stigma, Tele Medicine for Mental Health Services, Early Linkage to care, Self-Management Program, Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other medical treatments Support groups and peer counseling, Health Educational workshops and training sessions, Referrals to healthcare providers and social services, and information regarding U=U or undetectable is equal to untransmissible.
"The PAFPIcares Community Center stands as a beacon of hope and healing, a sanctuary where individuals can find solace, support, and empowerment particularly those living with HIV. Within these walls, we envision a future where stigma and discrimination are replaced with understanding and acceptance, where access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and where every person, regardless of their HIV status, can live with dignity and purpose," said PAFPI President Emmanuel Garcia.
The center is designed to act as a focal point for advocating and engaging with the HIV/AIDS community, with a mission to confront stigma, discrimination, and misunderstandings surrounding HIV and AIDS.
"Huwag po sila matakot dahil mayroon po silang safe place dito at siyempre dumarami na ngayon ang reported (cases) natin, para ma-update po at malaman ng komunidad. From October to December 2023, mayroon po tayong 3738 (cases) at karamihan dito ay kalalakihan na nasa 3,528 kumpara sa mga babae na nasa 210," said Psychosocial support officer Marites Cardines.
Rising number of HIV cases alarrming, health advocates say.
(Do not be afraid because they have a safe place here, and of course, the reported cases are increasing now for us to update and for the community to know. From October to December 2023, we have 3738 cases, and most of these are males at 3,528 compared to females at 210.)
The group also calls on members of the PLHIV community who have stopped taking anti retroviral therapy to visit the center.
"Marami na pong huminto sa pag-inom ng gamot... 74,737 iyong hindi na-enroll, nasaan na po ngayon. Iyon po ang focus namin sa PAFPI Cares Community Center na mahanap pa natin iyong mga taong hindi pa nakapag ARV. Hindi natin alam kung nag-passed away na o iyong iba lumipat na sa ibang lugar," added Cardines.
(Many have stopped taking medication... 74,737 were not enrolled, where are they now. That's our focus at the PAFPI Cares Community Center, to find those who haven't started ARV yet. We don't know if they have passed away or if some have moved to other places.)
"Iyong mga nahinto sa pag-inom ng gamot, dumarami na po ngayon. Focused kami sa SSNT (Sexual and Social Network Testing), ito po yung mga friend, mga kaibigan o mga partner nila na puwedeng may contact po, puwede po nila i-refer dito," she added.
(The number of people who have stopped taking medication is increasing. We are focused on SSNT (Sexual and Social Network Testing), these are the friends or partners of our clients who may have had contact, they can refer them here.)
According to Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS or UNAIDS, commencing antiretroviral therapy soon after HIV infection, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, leads to improved outcomes. It prevents HIV-related illnesses, disabilities, and fatalities, resulting in a 43% reduction in AIDS-related deaths worldwide since 2003. Antiretroviral therapy also offers preventive benefits.
"Ang ARV ay nagpapahaba sa aming buhay, kapag itinigil namin iyon, lalabas iyong mga dating infection, kailangan lang namin inumin iyon araw-araw," Renato Nocos, one of the center's counsellors.
(ARV prolongs our lives. If we stop taking it, previous infections may resurface. We just need to take it every day.)
PAFPI Cares Community Center is located at 2613 Dian Street, Malate, Manila and may also be reached through their hotline number 84042911.