Cavite Positive Action Group The Jch Advocacy Inc

16/12/2025

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟓
Yakap Clinic Transfer Guidelines

09/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D8rKAbuQZ/

03/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17oye21khK/

𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟰𝟰
𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗨𝗣 𝗛𝗜𝗩/𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘, 𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧

In commemoration of the World Aids Day with the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response", the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) stands with the persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through its enhanced Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package which provides wider financial support to essential care. Through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program or YAKAP, PhilHealth also raises awareness and early prevention efforts, assuring every member that all services are delivered with utmost confidentiality.

This aligns with the Department of Health’s proposal for a declaration of a national public health emergency in the country due to a growing health concern stemming from rising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases. On November 27, 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) reported over 5,500 new cases from July to September 2025.

In response, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, PhilHealth Acting President and CEO emphasized “Wala po kayong dapat ipag-alala, narito po ang PhilHealth upang tugunan ang inyong pangangailangang medikal. Kaya huwag po kayong matakot o mahiyang magpagamot. Makakaasa kayo na po-protektahan namin ang inyong mga personal na impormasyon.”

The enhanced OHAT Package now offers an annual benefit of P58,500, a 95% increase from the previous P30,000. This benefit covers antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all individuals with confirmed HIV test results from certified facilities, regardless of their clinical or immunologic status. It also includes access to all necessary services required for effective HIV management.

This enhancement is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to continually improve and sustain the health insurer’s healthcare benefits by ensuring adequate financial support to patients seeking medical treatment. In his second State of the Nation Address, the President highlighted that 'The whole of society must exert efforts to suppress the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS. To stem the tide, the strategic plan is to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and ample testing sites and medications.

The OHAT Package can be accessed through 288 PhilHealth-accredited and DOH-designated HIV treatment hubs across the country. In 2024, PhilHealth disbursed a total of P1.66 billion for 176,819 OHAT benefit claims.

“Nakakabahala ang mga balita na pabata ng pabata ang mga PLHIV kung kaya’t nananawagan kami sa mga magulang ng mga kabataan, suportahan at iparamdam natin sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa at may kinabukasang naghihintay sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng early prevention at regular na pangangalaga sa ilalim ng ating mga YAKAP Clinics,” Dr. Mercado stated.

For further inquiries on benefits and services, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.

29/11/2025

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Invitation to an Online Seminar:

"Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations"
Hosted by the Graduate Program in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science),
together with the Office of the Gender Program of the College of Arts and Sciences

📅 December 1, 2025 (Monday)
🕒 5:30 PM
📍 Via Zoom

To register: https://forms.gle/7jaXB1kKxJEtiLQ26
Zoom details will be sent on the day of the online session.

In observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, the Graduate Program in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science), together with the Office of the Gender Program of the College of Arts and Sciences, will be organizing a webinar titled, “Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations.”

We are inviting Gideon Livingstone P. Bendicion, lead author and graduate of King’s College London, to present the study, "The Management of Social Standing: Characterizing the Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations Using a Grounded Theory Approach." Access the article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00221465251388639

We also invited representatives from the Academe (Luis Emmanuel Abesamis), Community-Based Organization (Santha Nacua Leornas Galay), and the Department of Health (Jayne Eunice Yang) to serve as reactors.

This online forum will highlight, through grounded theory principles, an analysis of in-depth interviews exploring the experiences of select Philippine key populations—groups with a high HIV burden—and their families.

26/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Fj7DLFLsq/

21/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17cBD6oaMj/

A meaningful World AIDS Day 2025 to everyone!

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.”

Let us continue the steps we’ve taken toward ending AIDS by 2030.

No challenge can stand in our way—as long as we remain united, committed, and determined.

14/11/2025

Patients can avail of free medications for conditions in health facilities and hospitals in Metro Manila.

13/11/2025

Batay sa tala ng World Health Organization noong 2024, umabot sa 5.8 milyong kalalakihan, 3.7 milyong kababaihan, at 1.2 milyong kabataan ang tinamaan ng tuberculosis.

Link sa buong ulat sa comment section.

12/11/2025

06/11/2025

Understanding the 4 Clinical Stages of HIV (WHO System).

Clinical staging is a simple way doctors classify HIV infection progression when lab tests (like CD4 counts) are not immediately available. The stages go from minor, non-specific symptoms to severe, life-threatening illness. In a case where one might want to know about HIV symptoms kindly take time to go through this simplified guidance.

STAGE 1: Asymptomatic or Persistent Generalized Lymphadenopathy (PGL)
The patient is asymptomatic, meaning they feel and look completely healthy the only possible clinical finding is (PGL) swollen lymph nodes that last for more than one month in at least two non-adjacent areas of the body. No evidence of immune suppression or secondary infections yet. This stage without treatment typically lasts about 8-10 years or longer

STAGE 2: Mild HIV Disease
This stage involves minor, recurrent problems that start to show the immune system is beginning to struggle. Moderate, unexplained weight loss (less than 10% of body weight). Recurrent respiratory tract infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, pharyngitis). Herpes Zoster (Shingles). Angular Cheilitis (cracks at the corners of the mouth). Recurrent oral ulcerations. Seborrhoeic dermatitis (severe dandruff or skin rash). These are mild conditions, but their recurrence indicates a need to closely monitor immune function. This is a transitional period; progression can take months to years as CD4 count slowly drops

Stage 3: Advanced HIV Disease
This stage is defined by more serious conditions, often including infections that start to affect major organs or cause significant illness. Unexplained severe weight loss (more than 10% of body weight). Unexplained chronic diarrhea lasting over one month. Unexplained persistent fever lasting over one month. Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (white, hair-like patches on the sides of the tongue). Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) (current). Severe bacterial infections (e.g., pneumonia, meningitis).
These are serious illnesses indicating significant immune compromise. Sweets (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) are highly recommended at this stage. Progression is accelerating, can advance quickly once stage 3 infection appears

Stage 4: Severe HIV Disease (AIDS Defining Illness)
This is the most severe stage, defined by life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers. This stage is also often referred to as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Life-Threatening Conditions such as Pneumocystis Pneumonia (P*P), Toxoplasmosis of the brain (Toxo), Candidiasis of the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, or lungs (severe thrush), Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) (a type of cancer), HIV Wasting Syndrome (severe, involuntary weight loss and chronic weakness), Extrapulmonary TB (TB outside the lungs). Urgent and aggressive treatment with sweets and prophylactic antibiotics (like Septra) is required to stabilize the patient and allow the immune system to rebuild. Once stage 4 is reached, survival without immediate, effective treatment is typically 3 years

Clinical staging is a tool for care providers, but the ultimate goal is for everyone to access sweets as early as possible (regardless of stage) if you are experiencing signs and symptoms of HIV if you where exposed kindly reach out.

22/10/2025

17/10/2025

The Philippines passed a landmark HIV law in 2018, allowing people as young as 15 to access HIV testing and treatment without parental consent.

UNAIDS Philippines worked alongside communities, government agencies, and civil society organizations to make this possible.

Read how⤵️
https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2025/october/20251013_philippines