MANILA, Philippines—Masseurs and masseuses in spa and wellness clinics in Manila would be required to undergo regular screening for sexually transmitted infections under a proposed new ordinance to strengthen the city’s program for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS.
“While some spa establishments are really clean, there are others that use it as a front to cater to sexual activities,” said Councilor Irma Alfonso-Juson, proponent of the draft ordinance.
The measure would require managers and entertainment workers to attend seminars on STI, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) prevention.
The bimonthly STI screening and certficate of attendance at seminars would be necessary to secure a permit to operate the entertainment and wellness establishments.
Previously, only bars, nightclubs and sing-along pubs were covered by mandatory screening for its employees.
The STI screening may be conducted at the Social Hygiene Clinic of the Manila Health Department or other accredited clinics.
The proposal to amend the city’s AIDS ordinance of 2008 cited urgent need to address what has been described as an alarming trend in Manila.
Ten percent of the total recorded HIV cases came from Manila and 9 out of 10 are male, according to the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center, which has recorded 14,856 HIV cases since 1984 up to July 2013.
In Manila, 1 of 4 reported cases is aged 24 and younger, with the youngest at 9 years old.
The Philippines was also identified in 2012 by UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS) as among nine countries that have increased HIV infection by 25 percent since 2000.
Read more: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/152495/manila-mulls-sexually-transmitted-infections-screening-for-spa-employees#ixzz2uOi2Z5lQ
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
