Safeguarding equitable HIV service delivery at the health facility-level in a resource-limited setting during the pandemic.
Tactacan-Abrenica RJ., Almonte DG., Agrupis KA., Malijan GM., Suzuki S., Dela Cruz R., Valdez RK., Arcangel L., Ariyoshi K., Smith C.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on delivering essential health services, including HIV service delivery. Among the challenges encountered and addressed by the HIV and AIDS Department of the San Lazaro Hospital were ensuring continued access to antiretroviral therapy and ensuring continuity of client education and empowerment. Two years into the pandemic, challenges still ensue, such as protecting health care providers from COVID-19 and regular clinical monitoring of clients. This highlights the importance of urgent action to strengthen the resilience of health systems at all its levels, not only to respond to sudden disturbances, but also to transform and evolve to be able to better face future pandemics.