Education campaigns, info drives about HIV, sex are keys to preventing spread of disease
FOR almost four decades now, or from 1984 up to March of this year, a total of 97,792 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV were recorded, with about 5,548 fatalities. In March of this year alone, 1,539 individuals were tagged as confirmed Hiv-positive, according to the HIV/AIDS & Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) Registry of the Philippines or HARP.
The Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau revealed that an average of 41 cases per day were recorded from January to July 2022, which is higher than the 33 daily cases registered for the same period last year. In July this year, there were about 1,346 people who were confirmed as Hiv-positive. Of this number, 382 were noted in the National Capital Region (NCR), 265 in Calabarzon, and 143 cases in Central Luzon.
The number of HIV cases in the Philippines continue to rise but the sad thing is, many still do not know their real HIV status, mainly due to stigma and discrimination from society. People living with HIV (PLHIV) choose to hide from the shadows, refuse to have themselves checked, and suffer silently despite the obvious symptoms of this dreaded disease.
Recently, Healthy Pilipinas, a communications campaign spearheaded by the DOH, held the first episode of Konsultayo, a series of discussions that emphasizes on the value of medical consultation, especially for those who have practiced unsafe sex in the past and not being able to have themselves tested for HIV whose pilot coincided with the celebration of World AIDS Day 2022, a global event that aims to raise awareness about AIDS and HIV.
End HIV, Act for Equality para sa Healthy Pilipinas
ACCORDING to Roland Sardan, HIV and AIDS Program Expert from the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH, most PLHIVS continue to experience various forms of inequality like access to medical services, the right jobs, legal services and others. “I believe this is the correct theme that will allow us to show that HIV is beyond the medical issue but it is also a social issue.”
Danvic Rosadiño, Program and Innovations Director of Loveyourself Inc., on the other hand, said that is the reason why the issue of equality is being pushed. “Technically, HIV is just an ailment but is not being discussed as merely a simple ailment. There are many issues attached to it that people are scared to know or read about. That’s why we want, in the future that HIV be discussed as just that, a common ailment. We’re not yet there that’s why we are having these discussions.”
Dr. Lloyd Norella, HIV Program Manager of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., echoed the fact that equality is not just about being equal by law but also equal in having access to services. “In order for us to encourage people to get tested early, they should have equal access regardless of who they are so that they are properly informed where they can avail of these services, whether they have HIV or any other form of sickness.”
Who are the most affected?
THERE is a need to identify who are the most affected, according to Rosadiño, but clarified that having HIV is not limited to a key segment of the population and emphasized that all people can have HIV. However, in the Philippines, HIV has not yet spread to the entire population but only affects key segments like gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men, transgender women, sex workers, and people who inject or use drugs. “These are the people whom we somehow give special attention to because we believe that it’s their behavior that makes them at risk to contract HIV.”
With regard to inequalities experienced by key affected populations, Sardan said they are expanding the presence of testing sites, treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities so those in rural areas won’t have to go too far to access medical services.
In terms of legal services, Sardan said they have partnered with civil society organizations that help people with HIV regarding legal matters. “These are for those who suffered discrimination or experienced unjust labor practices. These are the things we do to address those inequalities,” he explained.
Speaking of laws that protect PLHIVS, Dr. Norella pointed out that the Philippines is one of the pioneers in the creation of an AIDS law in Southeast Asia as early as around 1994, or Republic Act 8504, which was recently updated by RA 11166 in 2018. The law lists the protection and the rights not only of PLHIVS but also other key populations, particularly on being treated with respect and confidentiality of information, security and others. “Even in local regions, there are now ordinances that aim to promote equality and human rights in the context of health service provision,” Dr. Norella explained.
Prevention is better than cure
WITH regard to HIV prevention methods and safer sex practices, Dr. Norella said that in any sexual exposure, it presents potential risks so he advised to assess one’s own risks, behaviors engaged in so one can opt to use one of the many options available like condoms and lubricants. He said there is now the “PREP” or Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, a medicine that can be taken to prevent HIV, which he said is available for free in some government and nongovernment facilities.
Rosadiño, for his part, urged that sex should be discussed in an educated manner and not as a vulgar topic. Once discussed freely, people are educated on how to protect themselves so they won’t be embarrassed anymore to go to health facilities and have themselves checked or avail of the right protection. “Through a ‘combination prevention’ approach, it means one option may work for someone but won’t work for another because of differing lifestyles so sex should not be discussed in a vulgar manner so we won’t be embarrassed in accessing services.”
Finally, Sardan rued the lack of education in the use of combination prevention methods, that is why there is a need to focus on inclusive sexuality education among the youth and also among the population.