Date of Completion

2022

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Medicine

Keywords

HIV/AIDS Treatment

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected people's lives. Gaining access to HIV/AIDS treatment service deliveries in the Philippines were altered to fit for the newly implemented protocols. Therefore, it is important to evaluate whether these methods and practices are able to address the barriers concerning treatment deliveries specifically by Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in the National Capital Region (NCR). Due to unforeseen events, the study employed a discussion on the barriers and enablers identified, as well as the gaps in accessibility and/or efficiency of delivering service based on a rapid assessment created by the Department of Health (DOH). The leading barriers identified by the rapid risk assessment were transportation and delivery, location of the treatment hubs, checkpoint and crossing borders, and stock of ARV drugs and other medicines respectively. Financial assistance, employment, psychosocial support, and verification process were other hindrances indicated by the key informants from getting services from the treatment hubs. Most facilities had to adjust their staffing, operations, cancel services, and shift to online work due to the health protocols imposed. Hospital fundings relocated the budget in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. All identified barriers and gaps will be used to strengthen the treatment-service delivery and modification of protocols to guarantee that access and adherence to treatment are optimally given to all the PLHIV patients during the pandemic. Identifying these gaps and themes will help NGOs, supporting agencies, and policy-makers to develop and prioritize appropriate solutions to the problems concerning HIV/AIDS treatment-service deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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