Catriona Gray raises serious health concerns for people living with HIV amid COVID-19 pandemic
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray raises some very important concerns for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) now that the government strictly discourages the public from going outside of their homes under the enhanced community quarantine due to 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
On her Instagram post, the beauty queen expressed her empathy for the group of individuals who are still seeking treatment for the disease.
She wrote, “For our brothers and sisters living with HIV.
"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 also underscored the susceptibility of elderly PLHIV from COVID-19 since severe recorded cases of the disease are from the older population.
“As with the general population, elder PLHIVs who also have other serious health conditions are at great risk,” the HIV advocate added.
In lined with this, Catriona shared a few guidelines for the elderly PLHIVs in accessing ARVs depite 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.
• Since most treatment hubs are run by the local governments, you may ask if they could deliver the ARVs at an agreed meeting point.
• Ask treatment hub doctors to send you an electronic appointment or SMS that you can show to government authorities manning the checkpoints as proof that you need to pass through quarantine cordon
She didn't forget to thank the health service providers for risking their lives to save people.
“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 said.
Prior to this, Catriona called for donations for the families in the Smokey Mountain area in Tondo, Manila that were adversely affected by the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The underprivileged community in Tondo, Manila, through her Young Focus Philippines has been at the core of Catriona's advocacy work since she began her journey as a beauty queen.