REUTERS

THE UNITED States Agency for International Development and Ayala Healthcare Holdings (AC Health) have inked a deal to expand health services on treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Philippines, according to the US Embassy in the Philippines.

“Supported by funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the partnership will develop, test, and scale approaches to improving and expanding HIV care and prevention services in the Philippines,” the agency said in a statement, citing a partnership signing event on Nov. 27.

The embassy said the partnership would tap into the private sector’s resources and technical-know-how to work on expanding telehealth services and providing free HIV self-testing kits.

“This collaboration brings us closer to bridging gaps in HIV prevention and testing, ensuring these critical services reach more communities nationwide,” AC Health Chairman Fernando M. Zobel de Ayala said at the partnership signing event, based on the embassy’s statement.

Based on data from the Department of Health, the country averages about 53 new daily cases of HIV from young Filipinos. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

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