UN exec: To fight HIV, PHL must focus on men having sex with men

To reduce the number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the country, the Philippine government must focus its efforts on MSM (men who have sex with men) sector, a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said.

UNFPA country representative Ugochi Daniels said the government and private health units must act swiftly to help HIV patients from the MSM sector.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) show that in 2011, transmission of HIV commonly occurs among men who have sex with men.

In May 2011, HIV transmission among MSM account for 83 percent of new HIV cases recorded that month.

Daniels said she once worked with HIV/AIDS patients in Sub-Saharan Africa, then the “epicenter” of HIV in the region.

She said the key to success in reducing the number of HIV transmissions in the region is by making their response and awareness campaigns tailor-fit for young people.

“The key to success in Sub-Saharan Africa is a multisectoral and comprehensive response, where we targeted sex contact among the youth, the most common mode of HIV transmission,” she said.

Targeted response

Daniels said a targeted response will also help the Philippines move out of its standing as one of only seven remaining countries where HIV cases continue to rise by more than 25 percent.

“For the Philippines, (the target) has to be MSM. If it’s not targeting what it’s supposed to target, the country will be left behind,” she said.

167 new HIV cases per month

DOH estimates that about 167 new HIV cases are recorded per month. By the end of the year, the DOH projects that there will be 2,000 more patients with HIV.

Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona said that the rise in the number of HIV cases is alarming but the silver lining behind the rising statistic is the fact that more and more persons living with HIV are coming out and seeking medical help.

“More people are getting tested, and when they find out they are HIV positive, they seek help,” he said. “They should know that there are drugs that can help them. We can also give them counseling.”

HIV/AIDS advocacy champion

Meanwhile, TV host Boy Abunda, the new HIV/AIDS advocacy “champion” of UNFPA, said he will work to spread information about HIV and AIDS, especially to young people, where almost 30 percent of new HIV cases come from.

He also said it is important that everyone knows about HIV so that myths about the virus, which often lead to discrimination against persons living with HIV, are debunked.

Abunda said most people are not aware that there is a 1998 AIDS law, which protects HIV-positive people against discrimination.

“Dati stigmatized ang sakit na TB, ngayon hindi na. Dapat ang HIV/AIDS ganyan din,” Abunda said. – VVP, GMA News, CANDICE MONTENEGRO, GMA News