Bartolome moves to prevent HIV, AIDS in PNP

The Philippine National Police Health Service (PNPHS) has started a program to educate their 143,000-strong force in preventing the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in their rank and file.

The Prevention and Control Program was implemented in order to mitigate the impact of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV Infection and AIDS on the PNP, to promote awareness of the prevention and control of these diseases through information, education and communication, to ensure the full protection of the human rights and civil liberties of PNP personnel suspected or known to be infected with HIV/AIDS and to establish a mechanism for monitoring, evaluating and reporting of HIV/AIDS cases in the PNP.

Republic Act 8504 mandates that all PNP personnel be provided with a standardized basic information and education on STDs, HIV and AIDS. The Prevention, Control and Education Program shall be integrated in all Mandatory Police Training and Schooling and the Gender and Development (GAD) activities.

Information, education and social support programs shall foster a spirit of understanding and compassion for people with HIV infection/AIDS as well as their families, the PNP declared.

The PNPHS through the PNP HIV and AIDS Committee (PHAC) shall coordinate with the Philippine National AIDS Council through the Department of Health for technical assistance in providing standardized basic information and education on STDs, HIV and AIDS to PNP personnel.

The PNP shall ensure that self-learning materials such as booklets, leaflets, flyers, manuals and the like are made available to ensure widest dissemination of HIV and AIDS information and HS personnel shall undergo HIV/AIDS training including training in counselling, the police health service said.

The PHAC will help provide basic health-care benefits and services to all PNP personnel and their families and dependents with or suspected to have HIV infection, receive confidential counselling care facilities, reimburse medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and ensure prompt release of death benefits for families. The PNP strictly complies with medical confidentiality in handling medical information, particularly the identity and status of persons with HIV.

Reasonable assignment accommodations for HIV-positive PNP personnel will be given upon the recommendation of the duly authorized medical officer and they will not be separated from the service based solely on actual, perceived or suspected HIV status.

“The PNP will assure non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing attitudes towards HIV-positive PNP personnel,” said PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome. “Full assistance will be provided since our priority is to secure their welfare and benefits of all personnel” he added. –Gina Peralta-Elorde, Daily Tribune