AIDS/HIV, A Growing Epidemic in Aklan

by Ernesto T. Solidum

December 1 to 4 each year is dedicated to World AIDS Awareness Week. Present advocates adopted the theme: "Promoting Rights and Universal Access", a passionate appeal to scale down the needless toll on human lives, high cost of prevention, and treatment of AIDS.

Panelists in the November 28, 2009 Kapehan forum were Ms. Rachel F. Grajales, Regional Coordinator and Mr. Bimbim Buta, Team Leader DKR Philippines, Ms. Dareen Era E. Murata, Provincial ARH Council, Engr. Carmelo F. Orbista, Provincial DILG. Ms. Dehbie F. Villaflor, nurse PHO, and Dr. Felma Dela Cruz, Aklan Medical Society.

In his opening statement, Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente – president, Aklan Press Club requested the guests and the tri-media members for one minute silent prayer for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims of the Maguin-danao Massacre. He denounced the most despicable, inhuman, and barbaric acts of the culprits of the recent Maguindanao massacre. Atty. Ricardo Ibarreta, President – Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Aklan Chapter) voiced same condemnation citing Atty. Cynthia Oquendo and her father from Altavas as among the victims. Both leaders sent their separate manifesto to the Sec. of Justice for impartial and speedy resolution of the case.

Ms. Murata declared that incidence of AIDS/HIV is the result of risky behavior and unprotected sex. "Aids victims are getting younger and promiscuous life com-pounds an alarming situation. There is greater urgency to promote sex education among the youths," she said.

The scourge of Aids worldwide is a monumental disaster and pathetic political inaction. According to Ms. Villaflor, in 2008, a total of 35.2 million adults and children were victims found mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. From 1994–2009, the Philippines had 4,082 confirmed cases. Of this total, 85 were found in Western Visayas and nine (9) were found in Aklan. All were male bartenders in Boracay catering to tourists who unfortunately were positive carriers of the disease.

Nevertheless, the above data represent only the tip of the iceberg. More are largely undocumented commercial sex workers who do not submit to weekly pap smear test of DOH.

"There is no known vaccine effective against Aids. Taking in of anti–retro viral drugs only slows down the diseases’ progression", said Villaflor. "Until such time that there is no known cure, the best option is simple abstinence and being faithful to one’s spouse", she added.

Dr. Dela Cruz said, "Human Immune Defi-ciency Virus can be acquired either through sexual contact, blood transfusion, infected syringe needle and body fluids. Kissing could be improbable mode of transmitting the virus since it takes four gallons of saliva just to contact the disease."

A number of preventive measures/program are being instituted by Prov’l. Aids Council to mitigate the problem namely: a) Installing vending machine in Boracay (2 units), b) HIV body testing at DRSTMH (1 unit) and Boracay (2 units), c) Weekly pap smear test for commercial sex workers and issuance of pink cards, d) Free anti retro viral drugs at Western Visayas Medical Center, Iloilo City, e) HIV Core Team at DRSTMH exclusively to handle HIV patients, f) Embalming services (27 trained embalmers in Aklan), and g) Counseling to affected families.

Engr. Orbista said that RA 8504 is the legal basis for the creation of Prov’l. Aids Council. Tagged as the first Council organized in the Philippines. It earned financial support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) until 2004. The fund greatly accelerated organization of 12 Municipal Aids Councils, conducted capacity building for health service providers and accreditation of Social HIV Testing Centers. In 2004 onward, the province of Aklan in partnership with civic organizations continued financial support chiefly focused on monitoring and evaluating target clients (tourists and OFW’s).

The absence of lethal safeguards in RA 8504 regarding entry of tourists by force submission to Aids/HIV body tests in the country’s tourist destination is highly unacceptable. This is the reverse of conventional practice employed by our country in the case of departing overseas contract workers. Sometimes we sacrifice our dignity and prerogative before the altar of dollars not realizing adverse consequences.

There are reported cases of 10 year old girls infected with sexually transmitted diseases. This is a direct consequence of heightened poverty and limited employment opportunities. Police personnel round them up and charge them for vagrancy and prostitution but the real persons that should be placed behind bars are the depraved customers. Under the law, this is criminal violation against minors. /MP