BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Department of Health-Cordillera (DOH CAR) expands easy access of communities to HIV programs and services while bringing a new perspective to the information and education campaign.
The DOH CAR relaunched the HIV self-testing kits and the expansion of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP through the NAMNAMA grand health ball on June 28, 2025 in Baguio City.
The HIV self- testing relaunch seeks to increase uptake of HIV testing among hard-to-reach populations, reduce late diagnosis, link reactive clients to confirmatory testing, care and treatment, and empower clients to take charge of their health.
This also aims to bridge the gaps, especially on the persistent stigma on persons living with HIV, geographical barriers, limited access to facilities of communities and high-risk individuals remaining unreached.
With the self-testing program, individuals can collect their own specimen, perform the test using DOH Food and Drugs Authority-registered HIV test kits and interpret the test result unassisted or with a provider or peer. This protects the individual from fears around confidentiality and stigma.
Darwin Babon, Program Manager of the DOH’s National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP)-CAR, pointed out that self-testing also gives individuals a private and flexible way to know their status, especially for those whose work schedules are conflicting.
“May mga populations pa rin po tayo na until now hindi pa rin pumupunta sa health centers, why? Not just because of stigma but sometimes because of the nature of work. With self-testing, hindi na po ‘yun magiging problema,” he said.
HIV PrEP is a pill for people who don’t have HIV but are at risk of getting it. The DOH CAR is rolling out this intervention for protection.
Line agencies and civil society organizations, LGBTQIA+ members and allies joined in the glamorous night of unity, elegance learning and information sharing.
The speakers included Kyra Isabelle Antonio, Miss Trans Global Philippines 2025 and an HIV advocate, who shared about Choices, Access, Dignity: A Key Population’s perspective on HIV self-test and PrEP; Dr. Bernard Demot of the Baguio General Hospital talked about HIV PrEP 101; Babon on Differentiated Testing and Guidelines for Self- testing, and Baguio City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brilliantes of the Importance of Early Diagnosis and LGU-led HIV Response.
This activity was made possible through the combined efforts of the DOH Health Promotion Unit and the NASPCP along with DOH partners from line agencies, key populations, civil society organizations, and HIV treatment hubs in the region.
Project NAMNAMA is a DOH-CAR initiative focused on Nurturing Awareness, Mobilizing Networks, and Advocating to Mitigate the Impact of AIDS and STIs in the region. It is inspired by the Iloko word namnama, meaning hope. **JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR
