USAID, AC Health launch partnership to improve HIV prevention, care in PH

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) have entered into a partnership to make HIV services more accessible in the Philippines.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the partnership was launched to coincide  with World AIDS Day on December 1. Aside from improvements in HIV care and prevention services in the Philippines, it will direct delivery of critical medication, such as the HIV preventive drug pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

“The agreement we are celebrating today will leverage the power of collaboration and the resources and skills of the private sector to address the HIV epidemic… As your partner in prosperity, the United States remains committed to working together for a future rooted in compassion, understanding, and improved access to healthcare for all,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.

The partnership will also ensure that HIV-prevention solutions and qualified health service providers would be more accessible to Filipinos using AC Health’s ecosystem, while the USAID will support community engagement, provide training and research for healthcare providers, and free HIV self-testing kits for partners.

"Our mission at AC Health is to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to more Filipinos. Through our partnership with USAID, our dedicated teams at Healthway Medical Network, KonsultaMD and Generika Drugstore have been equipped with specialized training to serve key populations affected by HIV. This collaboration brings us closer to bridging gaps in HIV prevention and testing, ensuring these critical services reach more communities nationwide.” added AC Health Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News