Where did we fail?

No we did not fail. The country waited.

Many of our stakeholders were convinced that HIV will soon balloon to what it is now. But majority of them was waiting for it to happen. They were willing to act, very worried, but they needed more evidence to personally see an epidemic growing.

Why?

Many felt that the P2 billion annual need was way too much for the country to legislate for HIV. Why spend for condoms and lubtricant on an “imaginary” epidemic of the future, when the need was now to cure dengue, to give DOTS treatment to TB patients, to provide hospital care to pregnancy-related complications, to a wealth of social and political problems that beset the country.

Total national investments on AIDS did not increase. The Department of Health budget for HIV remained to be less than P50 million until 2012 and did not go beyond P300 million per year since then.

With low program funds, low program reach will naturally be expected.

The national program records and sample surveys revealed that HIV testing among target population, a proxy indicator of HIV program coverage, remained to be below 20% (except for female clients of Social Hygiene Clinics whose coverage reached more than 60% in key cities). 

With few being  reached by the programs including information and education on HIV transmission and prevention, many of the target population remained to have low awareness about HIV, did not feel they are at risk of HIV despite their risky behavior, held negative attitude towards HIV protection (condom use), and other factors that contributed to the continued spread of HIV among these populations.

We cannot blame them. They cannot feel the epidemic.

NEXT - The legendary AIDS Law 

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HIV Around me  |  AIDS Work  |  Did we forsesee this?  |  Where did we fail?  |  The legendary AIDS Law  |  No Cases. Where did it go?  |  Confused  |  Wildfire  |  We will bounce back  |  Papang, thank you, I know my HIV status 

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