HIV AIDS

Assigned Task:
1. Description of health system components

According to WHO, health system components include: leadership and governance,

health information system, health financing, human resources, essential medicines and
service delivery.

• Leadership and governance - strength

The Philippine government ensures that health authorities take responsibility for
steering the entire health sector. The existing Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC)
is composed not only of members from the the health sector but also from DepED,
DOLE, DSWD, DILG, CSC, NEDA, NYC, ULAP, other NGOs. Furthermore, a
representative of persons living with HIV is also included in PNAC. Hence, ensuring that
policies and programs are tailored fit to the target population.
In addition, national health policies and plans are also modified and evaluated
every 6 years by the PNAC. Their next move stems from the results of the previous
strategies. Mechanisms for accountability and adaptation to evolving needs is, thus,
ensured.

• Health information systems-opportunity

A national monitoring and evaluation plan that specifies core indicators is well
established. Advocacies on HIV/AIDS are seen in social media and the internet as a
whole.However, this form of media is not yet as rampant in rural communities. Hence,
these advocacies are mostly limited to the metro.

• Health financing-weakness
The actual extent by which the country is able to address the risks posed by HIV/AIDS,
particularly by way of implementing the above mentioned strategies, can best be assessed
by the amount of resources it is able to marshal and dedicate to these efforts.

According to the data from National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the
overall expenditures for HIV/AIDS efforts have been inconsistent in terms of fund
sourcing, magnitude as well as actual allocation.

• Human resources for health- strength

The health workforce is central to achieving health. A well performing workforce is seen
as members of the PNAC come from different offices and represent various areas of
government and nongovernment agencies. Regular trainings and seminars are also done
to ensure competency not only among members of PNAC but also their constituents.

• Essential medical products and technologies- strength

The government provides free access to affordable essential medicines to PLWHA
through the treatment hubs. exist where ARTs are given monthly to those diagnosed with
HIV/AIDS. In addition, there there is also a provision of free diagnostics and counseling
to those who submit themselves for voluntary testing.

• Service delivery -opportunity

There is a provision of treatment packages with a comprehensive and integrated range of
clinical and public health interventions on HIV/AIDS this however, is mainly centralized
in the city. Although, there exist several treatment hubs other regions, there is only one in
Zamboanga Peninsula. This means, those PWHA in far-flung provinces would have to
shell out money for their travel to get their monthly medications.

Source: http://www.who.int/healthsystems/EN_HSSkeycomponents.pdf?ua=1

2. Description of relevant external factors affecting health system and performance

• Stigma-threats
HIV is often negatively viewed and heavily stigmatized, and social attitudes may be
damaging to those infected or suspected of being infected. According to UN Secretary-
General Ban Ki Moon, "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public
action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine
whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent
killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily
available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to
devastate societies around the world.”

• Discrimination- threat
Discrimination follows stigma and is the unfair and unjust treatment of an individual
based on his or her real or perceived HIV status.

Stigma and discrimination are of concern to HIV/AIDS programs for the following
reasons: (1) because stigma and discrimination can make life unbearable for those who
live with the disease and (2), because stigma and discrimination affect prevention and
care efforts. People who have been exposed to HIV through their behavior or that of their
partner may be unwilling to be tested or to change their behavior in any way for fear of
being suspected of being HIV-infected. If they are indeed infected, they may continue to
spread the virus and will not be able to access adequate care.

Source:
http://www.stigmaindex.org/sites/default/files/reports/Philippines%20Peoplve%20Living
%20with%20HIV%20Stigma%20Index%20Report%20cond%20%20fromOctober%2020
09%20to%20January%202010.pdf