Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) announced on Wednesday a new partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to intensify efforts against the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, aiming to enhance access to stigma-free healthcare and life-saving services.
This collaboration, unveiled just ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, marks a significant step in AC Health’s ongoing mission to combat one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics. By tapping into its diverse healthcare ecosystem, AC Health intends to develop, test, and scale innovative approaches to HIV care and prevention nationwide.
AC Health will integrate qualified health service providers into its KonsultaMD platform, expanding HIV awareness, screening, and prevention services beyond traditional healthcare settings. The company will also leverage its subsidiaries, IE Medica and MedEthix, to import and distribute essential medicines and other critical technologies, making them commercially available through Generika Drugstore outlets.
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chairman of AC Health, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable healthcare to Filipinos, stating, “Through our partnership with USAID, our teams across Healthway Medical Network, KonsultaMD, and Generika Drugstore have undergone specialized training to better serve populations most affected by HIV. Together, we aim to fill the gaps in prevention and testing, ensuring these vital services reach more communities nationwide.”
USAID will support AC Health in community outreach, providing technical assistance to Healthway Medical Network, and introducing private sector-driven models of HIV service delivery. Additionally, USAID will assist in training healthcare providers, expanding telehealth access through KonsultaMD, and distributing free HIV self-testing kits.
The collaboration is part of a broader effort to curb the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, which is among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. AC Health’s active participation underscores its expanding role in addressing public health challenges in the country.
In addition to its HIV-focused initiatives, AC Health is also leading efforts to improve workplace inclusivity for cancer patients, through the “Working with Cancer Pledge” in partnership with Publicis Groupe Philippines and the People Management Association of the Philippines. Launched in 2023, this initiative has already transformed workplaces globally, promoting greater support for employees affected by cancer.
