Vlad Bunoan

LoveYourself announces arrival of medicines for people living with HIV

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

LoveYourself Inc. announced the arrival of long-awaited antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV (PLHIV), marking an important step toward ensuring uninterrupted treatment for thousands of Filipinos who rely on the life-saving drugs.“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.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784504145595image1 (5).jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>According to LoveYourself, the arrival of the medications will signal the start of a stronger and more reliable system for acquiring and distributing HIV commodities throughout 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 stated, adding that strengthening the country’s HIV supply chain is essential to preventing future shortages and ensuring 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.Emphasizing that addressing the country&#x27;s HIV epidemic requires more than just treatment, the group urged the government to invest more heavily in HIV prevention programs such as expanded access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV testing, HIV self-testing, and other evidence-based preventive services.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784504156656image0 (7).jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>LoveYourself Inc. founder and executive director Dr. Ronivin Pagtakhan, with Department of Health Secretary Dr. Jose &#x27;Brix&#x27; Pujalte Jr. Handout</div>The group thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for responding to their appeals about the shortage of HIV commodities, as well as newly appointed Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Jose &quot;Brix&quot; Pujalte Jr. for quickly addressing the issue during his first days in office.“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,” they shared.“Maraming salamat din kay DOH Secretary Dr. Brix Pujalte sa mabilis na pag-aksyon sa usaping ito. Nakakaengganyong makita na sa mga unang araw pa lamang ng kanyang panunungkulan ay may agarang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng ating HIV community,” they added.The organization also expressed optimism about working with the DOH&#x27;s new leadership, stating that while significant challenges remain, meaningful progress can be made through continued collaboration among the 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 puwedeng makamit kung sama-sama tayong kikilos,” LoveYourself ended.

LoveYourself Inc. announced the arrival of long-awaited antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV (PLHIV), marking an important step toward ensuring uninterrupted treatment for thousands of Filipinos who rely on the life-saving drugs.

LoveYourself Inc. announced the arrival of long-awaited antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV (PLHIV), marking an important step toward ensuring uninterrupted treatment for thousands of Filipinos who rely on the life-saving drugs.