December 1, 2010 is the 10th annual celebration of World Aid’s Day. It is only fitting and proper that an in-depth discussion of HIV/AIDS considered a global epidemic by the World Health Orga-nization (WHO) be known straight from the horses’ mouth so to speak.
Weekly Kapihan forum on November 27, 2010 at Smokehauz Resto & Bar had Dr. Emma T. Cortez, PHO II, Dr. Victor A. Santamaria, PHO I, Dr. Leilanie Barrios, Medical Officer Coordinator, HIV/AIDS, Ms. Debbie Villaflor, Nurse, Ms. Nuella Zaldivar, Family Planning Coordinator, and Mr. Casey Jaywork, US Peace Corp Volunteer to discuss the importance of HIV/AIDS to health.
Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino cited RA 8504 approved on January 13, 1998 known as Prevention, Control, Education and Monitoring of HIV/AIDS. A year earlier, data showed that an estimated 8,300 people in the Philippines had contacted the Human Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV). Although this represented only 0.1 percent of the total population, it signifi-cantly increased to 0.47 percent in 2009.
A powerpoint presentation by Mr. Jaywork revealed that HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) in the Philippines is slowly but surely on the brink of a "concentrated epidemic" due to a rise in the prevalence of the virus. National total confirmed cases in 2009 was 5,472; Region VI, Western Visayas – 86 and Aklan province – 18.
Jaywork underscored that HIV and AIDS although similar in many respects are not actually the same. A person infected with HIV has the virus and the symptoms of the disease but whose immune system is strong enough to defend itself. On the other hand, AIDS victim has the same virus but possesses a weak immune system.
HIV patients would be administered regular treatments of retro viral drugs available free from Western Visayas Medical Center, Iloilo City or at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital starting December 6, 2010. It should be underscored that HIV treatment is never conclusive but only to prolong the patient’s life. On the other hand, AIDS victims are considered terminally ill and succumb to any or two complications of pneumonia, PTB, diarrhea, influenza, hypertension and others. Virtually, it is a slow agonizing death for victims, even the family’s future.
Dr. Cortez warned against complacency in the struggle to prevent the deadly scourge. She said, "there is no vaccine yet clinically tested against the disease. Because of this setback, it claims a significant percentage of the productive, sexually active segment of the population like young and maturing adults. By occupation, they are the commercial sex workers, overseas Filipino workers, and the sexual partners of these groups. The mode of transmission of the disease is through: a) unsafe sex, b) blood contamination, and c) mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding" said Dr. Cortez.
The lady physician cited "the ABC’s of preventing HIV/AIDS namely: abstinence, be faithful to your spouse, condom use, don’t share needles, and early detection. Our overall strategy in the campaign against the epidemic is a) prevention – education, prophylaxis (condom, HIV testing, anti-retro viral drugs), treatment and orientation – training of mortuary attendants. In this connection we have confidential services at the Provincial Hospital for those who need it most. It is a daunting task yet, we persevere in this medical mission", said Dr. Cortez.
The World Health Organization classifies the Philippines as highly at risk because of 25 percent increased incidence for the last eight years. This is due to mitigating factors such as low documented condom use, increasing casual sexual activity, large OFW population, mis-conception about spread and nature of HIV/AIDS and high needle sharing practiced by drug users.
Although there may be three fold increases in the rate of HIV in the Philippines between 2003 and 2008, RA 8504 does not require compulsory clinical testing of high risk segments of the population. This is the specific weakness that needs to be addressed by our legislature if our health authorities are to be effective.
The moral issue of faithfulness to one’s wife/husband is part of the solemn vow of both parties during marriage. There is no such thing as safe sex other than your lifetime partner. Not with two consenting adults, neither with condom use. It is simply called sin and the price of deceit is pain, separation and death. The emotions that seemingly transpire between partners in this instance are not love but lust.
Ironically, Dr. Barrios believes that their provincial campaign against HIV/AIDS is effective when more positive cases are uncovered or reported. She claims that prevention – education has allowed more unknown victims to come out and avail of prophylactic services rendered by PHO.
One sensible question is when do you draw the line between one old case who surfaced for testing and treatment and one who is relatively new? This is relevant since according to National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of South Wales, Sydney, Australia, the Philippines has no guarantee that a large HIV epidemic will be avoided in the near future. Indeed, it is right on our doorstep now.
Aklan’s tourism industry in Boracay is highly vulnerable to the global and national trend. Any perceptible outbreak of communicable disease out of control by health authorities like HIV/AIDS, STD (Chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis), avian flu, and others could send shock waves of travel advisory against the Philippines from foreign embassies. Familiar ones are US, UK, Australia, France and Canada. In contrast, Asian countries like South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Japan normally do not go to this extreme measure.
Recent advances in medical research especially vaccines and early detection could facilitate down grading HIV/AIDS into non-threatening health status. Meanwhile, this must be expedited by amending RA 3540 to compulsory testing and unfettered access to condoms especially the at-risk population.
HIV/AIDS is not to be taken lightly but an insidious disease that can be thwarted by family’s moral values. /MP
No comments:
Post a Comment