The Palace on Friday called on Filipinos not to stigmatize people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which continues to pose “significant threat” to Filipino families.
In a statement, Palace Spokesman Harry Roque urged the public to “work as one” in increasing the capacity of the country for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks, including HIV/AIDS.
“We urge all Filipinos to help end the stigma of HIV/AIDS and contribute to prevent the spread of the disease. Together, let us support the government in this endeavor,” Roque, who was among the principal authors of House Bill 6617, or Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act while he was still a legislator, said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque likewise urged Filipinos to be sensitive to the feelings of those living with HIV.
“We have to be sensitive also to their feelings at alam naman natin na malalim na ang kanilang problema. Huwag na nating dadagdagan pa ito sa paraan na malalagay sila sa kahihiyan [We already know that they have a big problem. Let us not add to their problems by placing them in an embarrassing situation],” he told reporters.
“Let’s not stigmatize our people suffering from HIV/AIDS,” he added.
Duque also urged people living with HIV to gain access to antiretroviral therapy.
“We urge those who are diagnosed with to come forward and access the life-saving antiretroviral drugs in all our DoH-designated HIV treatment facilities,” he said.
Roque said that the government recognizes the need “to halt the epidemic of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) /acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the country, and is finally taking significant steps to avert the spread of the disease.”
“We have much left to do. We have to strengthen the stigma reduction mechanisms of existing laws and guarantees that the country’s HIV and AIDS response is premised on the respect, recognition, and promotion of human dignity.”
“On a larger scale, government needs to address not just the health issues themselves but also the social determinants of health that contribute significantly to the persistence of these communicable diseases.”
While the prevalence rate of HIV in the Philippines remains at less than one percent, Duque said, the number of HIV cases reported is expected to go up to 142,000 by year 2022.
Since 1984 to August 2017, Duque said a total of 46,985 HIV cases have been reported to the Department of Health.
Most of reported HIV cases are concentrated in key populations who engage in “risky behavior,” with 2 in 3 new cases coming from the age group of 15 to 24 years old, he said.
From January to August 2017, majority or 84 percent of reported HIV cases are males who engaged in sexual activity with males, Duque said.
Roque said that the passage of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act “will serve to strengthen the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Act given that the UHC covers preventive health services.”
“The proposed law provides for policies and programs to prevent the spread of HIV and deliver treatment, care, and support services to Filipinos living with HIV in accordance with evidence-based strategies and approaches that follow the principles of human rights, gender equality, and meaningful participation of communities affected by the epidemic.”