by Ernesto T. Solidum
From (l to r) are Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Jr., and Mr. Allen Dizon, resource persons, and Mr. Edwin Ramos, program host. Dizon is HIV/AIDS survivor.
December 1 is World Aids Day symbolized by wearing a red ribbon on one’s breast to express solidarity and commitment to fight HIV/AIDS. Aklan, one of the active implementers of the program for 11 years have lined up several activities both in provincial and municipal levels to increase public awareness of the global epidemic. All schools have their quiz bee competition, poster making and slogan contests. Rural Health Units will have culmination and awarding program on December 7, 2012 in Kalibo.
Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr. PHO I in a press conference averred that global HIV/AIDS data as of 2009 is 35.2 million. The majority is found in Sub-Saharan Africa – 29.2 million, South and Southeast Asia – 5.6 million. Negligible number is in Latin America and Eastern Europe. Deaths in 2008 reached 2.4 million.
The Philippines from 1984 to August 2010 reported 5,472 cases with annual disease incidence increasing lately to 25 percent. Between the sexes, the most prevalent are on males – 76 percent while females – 24 percent. Dr. Cuachon noted that sexually active population between the ages 20-29 years old are vulnerable mainly because of unprotected sex, lack of knowledge and low perception of risk. In any case, the disease is preventable and manageable with regular intake of retro viral drugs and rehabilitation.
Cuachon explained that HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus while AIDS is acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Though related to each other, the nature of the disease is vastly different. One can be infected with HIV without outwards signs of infection or one can progress to full blown AIDS like breakdown of body’s immune system leading to diseases like cancer, arterioschlorosis, diabetes, and TB among others.
According to Dr. Cuachon, the mode of transmission of the virus is either during: a) blood transfusion, b) from mother to child through childbirth, breastfeeding or c) due to sexual contact like heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, oral and anal sex. It is evident that body fluids capable of transferring HIV/AIDS are through blood, breast milk, seminal and vaginal fluids.
RA 8504 or the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998 strengthens the educational and information thrust of the government and private sector led by National, Regional, Provincial and Municipal Aids Councils to combat the disease. It also provides social and medical support services to treat victims and lessen the stigma and discrimination associated with the killer disease. The Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital has adequate medical personnel and laboratory equipment to analyze blood samples and to give free anti retro viral drugs.
The HIV/AIDS national data show that 98 percent of the cases are acquired through sexual contact and only two (2) percent by blood transfusion. Moreover, less than 25 percent of MSM (men having sex with men) use condom compared to 50 percent among commercial sex workers. This practice of throwing all precautions to the wind just to satisfy one’s lust is the root of this social problem. In other words, it is based on individual decision to engage in risky and questionable behavior, forgetting one’s health and family happiness.
Since there is no known cure for HIV/AIDS, educational thrust must be on being faithful to one’s wife or partner, maintain wholesome family atmosphere (no drugs and alcohol), early detection, and treatment.
There is awareness that majority of seafarers in Western Visayas comes from Aklan and that they have contacted the disease in foreign ports. Our Boracay tourism industry could be vulnerable to any alarming incidents of the disease in the Island. Compounding the problem are the foreign and domestic tourists visiting Aklan. Their health status is not checked. Since Filipino OFWs must undergo rigid medical examination against communicable disease like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis A & B, and TB before leaving the country, foreigners and other tourists entering the Philippines must also be checked.
Undoubtedly, it is poverty and migration (OFWs) that contribute largely to this social and health dilemma, but the local tourism and aids councils still resort to ingenious ways to contain the scourge to manageable level. Sex is always associated with morality. One must use it only with the highest degree of responsibility and respect as rational beings. /MP
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