Scaling Up HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support Through Enhanced Voluntary Counseling and Testing and Improved Blood Saftey Strategies

In the Philippines, HIV prevalence is low – below 0.1 percent – and less than one percent of sex workers are infected with HIV. The primary mode of transmission is through unprotected sex, and about one-third of diagnosed infections have occurred in returning overseas workers, primarily seafarers and domestic workers. The program supported by this grant focuses on HIV prevention through scaling-up of voluntary counseling and testing services, ensuring blood safety and treatment, care and support for people living with HIV. It also aims to strengthen the health system to establish a supportive environment in the delivery of HIV services. The program targets the clientele of the public health facilities, which includes people most-at-risk and vulnerable to HIV infection.