THE first-ever holding of the Philippine National HIV Prevention Month (NHPM) kicked-off Friday, July 31, bringing Filipinos safer from the virus compared to previous years.

The Philippine NHPM is set every July of every year. This initiative supports the Presidential Proclamation No. 971, which was signed last June 23, declaring the second week of July as Infection Prevention and Control Week.

This year’s NHPM theme is “SaferNow,” following the new HIV combination prevention concept, which includes innovative and effective ways to prevent HIV: Condoms and lubricants, pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral treatment as prevention.

This month-long celebration will highlight the HIV combination prevention methods through the “SaferNow” campaign and a series of online activities:

July 31: Kick-off and Launch of the NHPM 2020 and the “SaferNow” Campaign.

Aug. 8: Condoms and Lube Day.

Aug. 15: PrEP and PEP Day

Aug. 22: Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) Day.

Aug. 29: Culmination Activity.

The NHPM is spearheaded by the Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia Program and the Champion Community Centers network and is supported by UNAIDS Philippines, Aids Healthcare Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Australian Federation of Aids Organisations, APCOM, and LoveYourself Inc.

Also, community-based organizations around the country, catering to HIV-related services, will conduct parallel activities to support this national event. (PR)