Palawan health advocates are calling for more reliable protections for people seeking HIV services, warning that fear of discrimination, gossip, and leaked medical information can discourage testing and interrupt treatment. At a provincial summit on Thursday, participants stressed that making health services available is not enough if people remain afraid of being identified or judged when seeking care.
The gathering highlighted the need for health facilities and communities to work together to protect patients’ privacy and ensure that people living with HIV (PWH) can access services without fear. Convened by nonprofit Roots of Health, the summit, “PEERS: People Empowered to End HIV-Related Stigma,” brought together health workers, local government officials, Department of Health Mimaropa representatives, PWH, and youth and community leaders.
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Stories Help Challenge HIV-Related Stigma
Amina Evangelista Swanepoel, executive director of Roots of Health, said the challenge lies not only in providing medical services but also in making people feel safe enough to use them.
“Testing and treatment are available, but the hardest part isn’t providing the services. It’s getting people through the door,” Swanepoel said. “A person who is afraid to be seen cannot be treated.”
The summit also presented results from Stories and Support, a stigma-reduction project led by Roots of Health and supported by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action. The initiative trained 45 PWH in storytelling and advocacy, then produced a 16-minute documentary featuring six participants for use in health care worker training. It also provided training on HIV-related stigma, bias, patient rights, and legal protections to 202 health care students and 132 health care professionals.
Project evaluations found improvements among participants following the intervention. Three out of four PWH participants recorded lower overall HIV stigma scores, largely because they became less afraid of visiting clinics. Among health care workers who received training featuring PWH stories, three in five recorded lower stigma scores. Meanwhile, 62 percent of future nurses and midwives showed positive shifts in beliefs and attitudes after orientations.
Roots of Health said storytelling also helped participants address shame and build their self-worth and confidence in managing their health. However, follow-up assessments conducted nine months later showed that the progress required continued support.
Privacy and Respect Require Sustained Action
Concerns about gossip and possible breaches of confidentiality remained among PWH. Health care workers also faced heavy workloads and overcrowded facilities, making it harder to consistently provide respectful care. These challenges point to the need for ongoing training and stronger safeguards rather than relying on one-time interventions.
In Palawan and across the Philippines, the effectiveness of HIV services depends not only on testing facilities, treatment availability, or medical expertise, but also on whether people trust the system enough to seek help. Protecting confidentiality and treating patients with dignity are essential to ensuring that fear does not become another barrier to care.
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