OFWs urged to protect themselves vs HIV, AIDS

A Manila-based organization for migrant workers is urging the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to learn how to protect themselves from being infected with HIV-AIDS.

National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NCRO) director Vivian Tornea said Filipinos abroad should study the materials on HIV-AIDS education that were given to them during pre-departure orientation seminars.

“Overseas employment and earnings would be nothing if they come home with HIV, or already sick with full-blown AIDS,” Tornea said in a news release.

AIDS stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome” while HIV means “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.” AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV.

According to Medline Plus, “HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. It may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Women can give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.”

Medline said, “There is no cure [for AIDS], but there are many medicines to fight both HIV infection and the infections and cancers that come with it. People can live with the disease for many years.”

Quick reference guide

Meanwhile, Tornea praised the AIDS Society for the Philippines Inc. (ASP) for coming out with a quick reference guide for HIV-infected OFWs.

“The reference guide would greatly help OFWs and their families find support for medical treatment as well as for legal, social, spiritual, educational, and employment, and livelihood assistance from various government and non-government organizations,” she said.

ASP is one of the leading organizations that work for the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS in the country.

The group’s reference guide for HIV-infected OFWs can be availed through its website, www.aidsphil.org.

Increasing number of HIV cases

Department of Health (DOH) data show that the number of HIV cases in the country had been increasing from 40 in June 2009, to 109 in June 2010, and to 178 in June 2011.

Cumulatively, the number of reported HIV cases in the country was 362 in January to June 2009, and 809 and 1,016 during the same period in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Some 45,000 Filipinos may be infected with the HIV-AIDS before the Aquino administration ends in 2016 if the government will not act to contain the spread of the dreaded disease.

Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag admitted that the “alarming” trend has prompted the DOH to step up its campaign against the deadly disease to the point that it has shifted to scare tactics.

“Tinatakot na namin ang lahat ng indibidwal sa bansa laban sa HIV. Ito ay hakbang para sabihing hindi kayo invincible at exempted sa virus,” Tayag said last May.

Although Tayag said it is not common practice, he advised returning overseas Filipino workers — who are considered “vulnerable” to the virus — to undergo HIV testing to ensure they did not contract the virus abroad.

Tayag said under current policy, OFWs undergo HIV testing not when they return to the Philippines but only when leaving the country because it is a pre-employment requirement. — VVP, GMA News