AC Health and USAID Unite to Enhance HIV Care Accessibility in the Philippines

Improved Access to HIV Care in the Philippines

In an important development for healthcare in the Philippines, Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) has partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance access to essential HIV care services in the country. This strategic collaboration, announced to coincide with World AIDS Day, reflects a concerted effort to address the growing HIV epidemic in the region. Under the theme "Collective Action Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress," this partnership aims to implement innovative approaches to improving HIV prevention and treatment methods.

As part of this partnership, AC Health will utilize its extensive healthcare ecosystem to create and test new methods aimed at expanding access to HIV care and prevention. Notably, they plan to onboard qualified healthcare providers through their KonsultaMD platform, enabling a broader reach for awareness and screening services that go beyond traditional healthcare facilities. The initiative also involves importing vital medicines and lifesaving technologies, making them available commercially via Generika Drugstore.

"Our goal at AC Health is to ensure that quality and affordable healthcare reaches all Filipinos, and this partnership with USAID brings us closer to that mission. Our teams at Healthway Medical Network, KonsultaMD, and Generika Drugstore are now equipped with specialized training tailored to address the needs of populations most impacted by HIV," stated Fernando Zobel de Ayala, AC Health's Chairman.

USAID plays a crucial role in supporting this initiative by facilitating community engagement, providing technical support to the Healthway Medical Network, and establishing private sector models for the delivery of HIV services. The agency will also train healthcare providers, expand telehealth access through KonsultaMD, and coordinate the distribution of free HIV self-testing kits, bringing key services directly to those in need.

The partnership aims to combat one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing HIV epidemics and highlights AC Health's commitment to addressing public health challenges in the Philippines. AC Health's role in this initiative exemplifies its expanding influence in the healthcare sector and its determination to bridge the existing gaps in HIV prevention and testing efforts.

In addition to its focus on HIV care, AC Health is also leading the "Working with Cancer Pledge" alongside Publicis Groupe Philippines and the People Management Association of the Philippines. This global initiative raises awareness and support for individuals dealing with cancer in the workplace. Since its inception in 2023, it has encouraged hundreds of companies around the world to create inclusive environments for employees facing cancer.

AC Health, as a subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, is dedicated to making healthcare accessible and affordable for all Filipinos. Its extensive portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the country's first generic retail pharmacy; St. Joseph Drug, a robust retail drugstore chain in Northern Luzon; IE Medica and MedEthix, notable pharmaceutical importers and distributors; Healthway Medical Network, which offers a wide array of health services including clinics and hospitals; and KonsultaMD, a digital health application that facilitates online consultations and other healthcare-related services.

By integrating its three core pillars—pharmaceuticals, hospitals and clinics, and digital health—AC Health is creating a seamless healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes the needs of Filipino patients. With a comprehensive approach to public health, AC Health is not just addressing the HIV epidemic but also paving the way for a more inclusive healthcare future in the Philippines.

About Ayala Corporation

Having operated for 190 years, Ayala Corporation stands as a leader in various sectors such as real estate, banking, and renewable energy, and is increasingly making strides in healthcare. The company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is reflected in its initiatives aimed at improving public welfare through the Ayala Foundation. For more information, visit ayala.com and connect with them on LinkedIn.