Collaborating for Change
Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is spearheading private-sector initiatives to combat the HIV epidemic in the Philippines. This partnership aims to enhance access to stigma-free healthcare and lifesaving HIV services, marking a significant step in addressing one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing health crises.
Timed to coincide with World AIDS Day, the collaboration aligns with the global theme, “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress,” highlighting the importance of joint efforts to tackle the epidemic.
Strengthening Access to HIV Care
AC Health is utilising its comprehensive healthcare network to innovate, implement, and scale solutions for HIV prevention and treatment. The organisation’s initiatives include:
- Onboarding Qualified Providers: Integrating skilled health service providers onto the KonsultaMD telehealth platform to extend HIV care services.
- Expanding Awareness and Screening: Delivering HIV awareness campaigns and screening opportunities beyond traditional health facilities.
- Enhancing Medicine Availability: Importing essential HIV medicines and technologies through subsidiaries IE Medica and MedEthix, making them commercially accessible via Generika Drugstore.
USAID contributes significantly to this collaboration by fostering community involvement, offering expert guidance, and implementing pioneering private-sector strategies for delivering HIV services. This includes training healthcare providers, advancing telehealth solutions via KonsultaMD, and distributing free HIV self-testing kits through its network of partners.
A Shared Commitment
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of AC Health, expressed the organisation’s dedication to advancing public health: “Our mission at AC Health is to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to more Filipinos. Through our partnership with USAID, we are equipping our teams with specialised training to serve key populations affected by HIV. This collaboration bridges gaps in HIV prevention and testing, ensuring critical services reach underserved communities nationwide.”
Supporting Public Health Initiatives
This partnership underscores AC Health’s commitment to addressing public health challenges. The organisation also champions the “Working with Cancer Pledge” in collaboration with Publicis Groupe Philippines and the People Management Association of the Philippines. This global initiative raises workplace awareness and support for employees battling cancer, transforming companies into inclusive workplaces since its 2023 launch.
Building a Holistic Healthcare Ecosystem
AC Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, continues to innovate and expand healthcare services across the Philippines. Its diverse portfolio includes:
- Generika Drugstore and St. Joseph Drug: Leaders in generic and retail pharmacy services.
- IE Medica and MedEthix: Major pharmaceutical importers and distributors.
- Healthway Medical Network: A network of multi-specialty clinics, ambulatory centres, and hospitals.
- KonsultaMD: A digital health platform offering online consultations, medicine delivery, and diagnostic bookings.
By integrating these resources, AC Health ensures seamless and affordable healthcare solutions for every Filipino.