PNAC: Camillians Help Address Gap in HIV Treatment and Care

In a country affected by the HIV epidemic, the government health care system may not be prepared to address the wide range and specialized needs of the PLHIV.  In the Country Report of the Philippines (January 2008 to December 2009) of the Philippine National Aids Council, the Council (PNAC) acknowledged that in a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, the psychosocial and spiritual needs of the PLHIV need to be given attention.  The report clearly stated that “…spiritual care is an essential component of a care and support program for PLHIV and their affected families.”

PNAC thus recognized the value of partnerships with faith-based organizations in meeting these particular needs.  In the section of the report entitled “Partnerships with Catholic Institutions for Enhanced HIV Treatment, Care and Support Services” by Merceditas Apilado, the Council singled out the Ministers of the Infirm as one such entity that has contributed to improved care and services for the PLHIV.  Following is what PNAC published:

To address these gaps in the health care system, the HIV and AIDS Ministry of the Camillians in the Philippines initiated and established partnerships with government, other faith-based institutions, civil society organizations, and PLHIV groups. The health facilities and services that are administered by the Camillians were also made available and responsive to the needs of PLHIV and their affected families. The HIV and AIDS Ministry of the Camillians has thus contributed to enhanced care and support services through increased access to spiritual care, psycho-social support, and medical services including adequate blood supply.

The report in brief cited the best practices that the Camillians adopted and which enabled them to deliver their services “to a cumulative total of more than 200 PLHIV for the past two years.”  Though impact evaluation has yet to be done, the report asserted that

“feedback from beneficiaries would indicate that the Ministry has contributed to addressing their spiritual and psychosocial needs as well as that of the affected families.”