‘Drug war should include HIV awareness’
Law enforcement authorities who conduct drug operations should undergo training on how to handle cases involving persons living with HIV, according to the National Youth Commission (NYC).
In a statement in time for the obser- vance of World AIDS Day yesterday, the NYC said there is a need for the public to be informed about the human immunodeficiency virus to address the stigma attached to the disease and the discrimination suffered by those who have HIV.
“While the NYC strongly recognizes the government’s efforts on the war on drugs, there is an urgent need to properly handle cases involving those persons living with HIV to avoid what happened recently,” the youth body said, referring to the disclosure of the HIV status of a suspect arrested on Tuesday in a drug bust in Taguig.
“We urge our drug enforcement authorities and the media to partner with the NYC in addressing the stigma and discrimination, which undermine prevention, care and treatment efforts and increase the impact of the epidemic on individuals, families and communities,” it added.
The NYC said drug enforcement authorities and mass media must be
to understand the issues related to HIV.
It stressed the need to “break down the stigma and silence surrounding HIV and AIDS” and encourage more people to undergo voluntary testing and counseling.
HIV testing in QC
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista urged the city’s pride council to include more HIV-AIDS testing activities in their programs for members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.
“HIV testing is a mandatory project that we should have. There is a strong rise of HIV in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and more specifically in Quezon City,” Bautista said during a pride council meeting this week.
Bautista noted that many cases of HIV involve men having sex with men, and this could be addressed through intensified information campaign, including testing and counseling.
Experts stress that HIV is no longer a death sentence and that there are available treatments to lower the viral load of those who test positive.
Quezon City has six clinics that cater to individuals vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. These facilities offer counselling, free testing and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“We should encourage people living with HIV not to hide because we are here to take care of them,” Bautista said. “They should not be pushed away, they should be encouraged to be part of the society.”
United Nations data reveal the Philippines has the highest HIV infection growth rate in Asia-Pacific region.