Aids Awareness

HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign

The Asian Development Bank, the Philippine Department of Health, nongovernmental organizations and members of the private sector on Monday at a workshop in Manila, the Philippines, launched a campaign to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among high-risk groups in the country, UzReport.com reports. The campaign is part of ADB's Regional Technical Assistance for Fighting HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific project, which is funded by the HIV/AIDS Cooperation Fund for Fighting HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific.

According to UzReport.com, the campaign will develop and test strategies to reduce harm caused by HIV/AIDS, as well as develop capacity for HIV prevention and care among migrant workers. The program also seeks to strengthen the national and local response to the disease among such groups. In addition, the program aims to provide support to the health department in developing more practical approaches and interventions to reach these groups.

The health department has acknowledged the need to collaborate with other agencies and members of the Philippine National AIDS Council to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among high-risk groups, UzReport.com reports. However, progress in assisting overseas Filipino workers has been hampered by inefficient referral systems and limited access to HIV services, such as voluntary counseling and treatment. The ADB assistance will be delivered through a team of consultants, along with the local NGOs Action for Health Initiatives and the Remedios AIDS Foundation. The Philippines adult HIV prevalence is less than 0.1%, according to UzReport.com (UzReport.com, 7/3).