Industry leaders push non-discrimination drive for HIV/AIDS seafarers

Dr. Conrado F. Oca, president and chairman of Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) and his EVP retired Navy chief Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos (AFP), concurrent president of Maririme Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) have called on the maritime and seafaring community, as well as the general public “not to discriminate” against seafarers infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), instead, “we must treat them fairly” like any other human being who deserves protection and enjoyment to God-given life in the world.

Dr. Oca, a doctor of medicine himself and highly-respected maritime union leader, keynoted the recent forum on Filipino seafarers afflicted with the said disease, held at the AMOSUP Seamen’s Center in Intramuros, Manila, where he pointed out that the disease is “no longer a death sentence.” “HIV just like any other lifestyle disease is ‘manageable,’ stressing that one can live a long productive life if the infected adheres to the needed anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment through religious use of ARV drugs. “He noted that stigma and discrimination hinder the effective interventions by the government and private institutions and groups, so that it is important for the maritime community to join the advocacy,” he explained before participants.

Jointly supported by AMOSUP, international Transport Wokers Federation (ITF) and PH Joint Manning Group (JMG), the forum was organized Positibong Marino (PM) group led by its chair Jebsen Gamido, himself an HIV-afflicted person for seven years, was held last Nov. 28. It coincided with the commemoration of the 92nd birth anniversary of AMOSUP founder master mariner Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, prominently known as the “Father of Filipino seafarers,” and 72 hours before the observanece of International AIDS Day. Capt. Oca was a foremost health advocate who championed the importance of preventive measures as a way to infection-avoidance. A monumental phrase from the great, prolific America diplomat, scientist, writer Benjamin Franklin which Capt. Oca oftently quoted during health care and protection confabs during his lifetime, runs this way: “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” he added.

The Departmentn of Health HIV/AIDS Registry reported close to 60,000 Filipinos have, so far, been infected with HIV/AIDS, accounting for some 2,500 deaths since DOH started documenting in 1984. The same report said the victims’ ages range from 15 to 24, the age range of individuals mosty attacked by the disease. For more than three decades now, over 70 million people have been afflicted, and more than 35 million killed by by the disease, described by the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO) as epidemic.

At MAAP in Kamaya Point, Alas-asin, Marivles, Bataan, President said, “We have always been keen and observant of HIV/AIDS, its danger, spread and prevention. Our students are regularly given the needed, and apporiate seminars and lectures.” “We incessantly support HIV awareness and prevention, and we have the student organizaton named “Hi V’ advocating education to students on HIV and safe sex practice,” he pointed out.

Admiral Santos, together with MAAP administrator Capt. Gerlo Elchico expressed joy with pride, with the active involvement of MAAP students on HIV/AIDS awareness. As a living testimonial of how sincere are our students in the drive, they said MAAP students joined the 2018 Phillippine International Aids Candlelight Memorial 2018 last May in Balanga City and “won first place,” while Samal town and the Bataan Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (BTRC) landed second and third places, respectively.