Catriona Gray shares how people with HIV can access medicines during COVID-19 lockdown

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray shared the information on how people dealing with HIV can access medicines during the COVID-19 lockdown, as advised by the Department of Health.

The model/actress who is a staunch advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness expressed her concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV) according to her Instagram on March 30.

“In this time of uncertainty brought about by the pandemic COVID-19, I can only empathize and try to understand the anxiety and concerns of people living with HIV (PLHIV) regarding their access to their antiretroviral (ARV) drugs now that enhanced community quarantine is being strictly implemented,” she wrote.

The beauty queen cascaded the information from the DOH, “Coordinate with your treatment hub for a delivery or pick up of ARVs through a courier service, which the cost of service may also be arranged with the facility,” she said. “Since most treatment hubs are run by the local governments, you may ask if they could deliver the ARVs at an agreed meeting point.”

 

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For our brothers and sisters living with HIV ??❤ In this time of uncertainty brought about by the pandemic COVID-19, I can only empathize and try to understand the anxiety and concerns of people living with HIV (PLHIV) regarding their access to their antiretroviral (ARV) drugs now that enhanced community quarantine is being strictly implemented. Although a person of any age is susceptible, most of the severe COVID-19 cases here and abroad belong to the older population. As with the general population, elder PLHIVs who also have other serious health conditions are at great risk. For our PLHIVs, the Philippine Department of Health strongly recommends that you consider the following in terms of accessing ARVs despite the quarantine: • Coordinate with your treatment hub for a delivery or pick up of ARVs through a courier service, which the cost of service may also be arranged with the facility. • Since most treatment hubs are run by the local governments, you may ask if they could deliver the ARVs at an agreed meeting point. • Ask treatment hub doctors to send you an electronic appointment or SMS that you can show to government authorities manning the checkpoints as proof that you need to pass through quarantine cordon For health service providers in treatment hubs: I salute our frontline health care workers for risking their lives to deliver health services to the people. Thank you for your dedication, creativity, and for going out of your way to make sure our people living with HIV have access to their medication. ??? I have included IG Story highlights of each of the Designated HIV Treatment Hubs & Primary HIV Care Facilities for everyone’s reference. ❤

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Mar 29, 2020 at 11:59pm PDT

“Thank you for your dedication, creativity, and for going out of your way to make sure our people living with HIV have access to their medication,” Gray concluded to express gratitude to people in the front lines.

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