Catriona Gray informs people with HIV how to access medicine during COVID-19 quarantine
Catriona Gray. Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray
Singer and beauty queen Catriona Gray addressed Filipinos with HIV on how to obtain the medicine they need and how they can coordinate with local governments, as advised by the Department of Health (DOH).
Gray, a vocal advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness, expressed her concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as per her Instagram post yesterday, 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 said.
Gray emphasized that anyone is susceptible to contracting the novel coronavirus but the most severe cases here and abroad are that of the older population.
The former Miss Universe then relayed the DOH’s advice on how to access the 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,” 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.”
Gray also told PLHIV to ask for an “electronic appointment or SMS” from their treatment hub doctors as proof that they need medical attention. This will be shown to the authorities manning the checkpoints to allow them to pass.
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Lastly, Gray lauded the frontliners putting their lives at risk to continue helping people, especially health service providers in the treatment hubs.
“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,” she stated.
To further assist the PLHIV, Gray compiled DOH’s list for the designated HIV treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities around the country on her Instagram Story’s highlights for reference. JB
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