U.S. recognizes exemplary HIV treatment facilities at inaugural QUILTS Awards

USAID Acting Deputy Mission Director Brandon Miller reiterates the U.S. government’s commitment to help address HIV in the Philippines.

The United States government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), recently partnered with the Department of Health and the AIDS Society of the Philippines to recognize seven facilities and organizations that made exceptional contributions to the country’s HIV treatment efforts.

During the inaugural “Quality Uptake and Improvements in Lifesaving Treatment Services” (QUILTS) Awards held last May 31, the following facilities and organization were feted for their efforts in the following categories:

  • Linkage to Care Champion – Bulacan Medical Center;
  • Treatment and Care, Adherence Award – Meycauayan Social Hygiene Clinic and Batangas Medical Center;
  • Treatment and Care, Recall Award – SHIP and SAIL Clinics;
  • Treatment and Care, Early Adopter Award – Laguna Medical Center;
  • Top Rapid HIV Diagnostic Algorithm Facility – Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital; and
  • Differentiated Service Delivery and Case Management Champion – Bulacan Medical Center
Bulacan Medical Center’s Ronchie D. Santos and Marc Anthony Payabyab (center) receive the QUILTS Award from EpiC Country Director Teresita Marie “Bai” Bagasao, USAID Foreign Service Officer Hoang Bui, AIDS Society Philippines President Irene Fonacier-Fellizar, and USAID Office of Health Deputy Director Yolanda Oliveros.

Judges selected the winners by reviewing the quality of the facilities’ services and their best practices for achieving positive outcomes.

In addressing the awardees, USAID Philippines Acting Deputy Mission Director Brandon Miller reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to help end the HIV epidemic in the Philippines.

“It is our hope that as we take stock of our accomplishments tonight, we are reinvigorated with the drive to do more for the key populations we are here to serve,” said Acting Deputy Mission Director Miller.

USAID, through its Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, partners with more than 50 facilities in Metro Manila and surrounding areas to achieve HIV epidemic control.  Through the QUILTS Awards, USAID and partners hope to encourage the sharing of best practices and innovations for quality, person-centered HIV care.

The Philippine PEPFAR program is implemented by USAID, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, and the U.S. Department of Defense.