Palace cites need to end stigma, better manage HIV/AIDS in PH

“As we commemorate World AIDS Day, we must not only help end the stigma of HIV/AIDS, but we must also work together to increase the capacity of our country for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risk such as HIV/AIDS,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Tuesday. (Shutterstock photo)

MANILA – The Philippines has joined the world in observing World AIDS Day, stressing the need to not only end the stigma surrounding the transmissible disease, but also increase the country’s capacity to manage it.

“As we commemorate World AIDS Day, we must not only help end the stigma of HIV/AIDS, but we must also work together to increase the capacity of our country for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risk such as HIV/AIDS,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Roque, one of the principal authors of Republic Act No. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018, said he was glad to see concrete steps taken to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in the country.

“The passage of RA 11166 or An Act Strengthening the Philippine Comprehensive Policy on HIV and AIDS Prevention Treatment, Care and Support serves to strengthen the Universal Coverage Act – which I also authored in the Lower House – given that Universal Health Care covers preventive health services,” he said.

He pointed out that under the law, penalties will be meted out on people who discriminate HIV-positive individuals, publicize confidential information about HIV-positive individuals, and against those who disclose their health condition to their spouses or sexual partners.

Last Nov. 10, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that there were 1,875 new individuals infected with HIV from January to September this year.

From the timeframe, there were 185 reported deaths among people with HIV.

Sexual contact remains the predominant mode of transmission with a total of 1,837 or 98 percent of the new cases while other modes of transmission were sharing of infected needles (one case), and mother-to-child transmission (six cases). Meanwhile, 31 cases “had no data on mode of transmission”.

There have already been 5,627 HIV cases reported from January to September of this year, the DOH said.

The World Health Organization called out on world leaders and citizens to rally for “global solidarity” to maintain essential HIV services during Covid- 19 and beyond – and to ensure continued provision of HIV services for children, adolescents, and populations most at risk for the disease.

It also called on countries to provide health workers with greater protection and support so they can continue their work safely during the pandemic.

“Protecting people from HIV during the pandemic, and ensuring they can maintain treatment, is critical,” the WHO said.

According to WHO, HIV is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the white blood cells called CD4 cells. HIV destroys these CD4 cells, weakening a person’s immunity against infections such as tuberculosis and some cancers.

WHO recommends that every person who may be at risk of HIV should access testing. People diagnosed with HIV should be offered and linked to antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible following diagnosis. If taken consistently, this treatment also prevents HIV transmission to others.