MHRP, along with the Armed Forces Research Institute for Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) and the Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP), provide military-to-military HIV prevention, care and treatment services in close collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The primary aim is to help the AFP reach sustainable HIV epidemic control by strengthening the military capacity to establish policies and systems to provide quality HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and laboratory services anchored in the Victoriano Luna Medical Center. These activities directly contribute to building a sustainable AFP-wide HIV program.
The collaboration also helps inform HIV policy updates. In spring 2024, the AFP Chief of Staff officially approved HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Guidelines, marking the culmination of two years of effort by a steering committee, with the guidance and support of the PEPFAR Philippines team.
Of significance is the removal of dismissal based on HIV status; any AFP service member who acquires HIV during active service will be assured of continued opportunity to serve if all other fitness standards are met. In addition, the policy now extends HIV services not only to military personnel, but also to military dependents, civilian human resources and authorized civilians.
