Mental health, HIV on agenda

AIDS and mental illnesses are among the diseases getting closer attention from health ministers attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu City.

“Mental illness, up until quite recently a silent but insidious chronic disease, is now recognized, at least through efforts in our region, as a priority that can and should be addressed openly and well,” said Janette Loreto-Garin, secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).

She said one of the goals of the Philippines and APEC is to address the need to improve the mental health sector and reducing the stigma associated with mental health. She delivered the keynote speech at the opening of the fifth high-level meeting on health and the economy.

In a separate briefing, Health Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go said that crafting measures to stop the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes Aids (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is also one of the talking points for APEC delegates.

“It continues to be at the top of our priorities,” the official said of HIV/Aids. He conducted the press briefing shortly before the start of the high-level meeting. Both took place in the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Urgent

Like other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, mental health is stripping away people’s ability to enjoy life with their families and their working potential, Garin said.

She said incidents like the shootings in United States schools or an increase in suicides emphasize the need to address mental health promptly.

“If people inflicted with mental illnesses could only be treated, they could have a role and even participate in society,” said Garin.

In the press briefing, Undersecretary Go said the number of persons with HIV is rising in the Philippines, with Cebu City having the highest prevalence rate among all cities at 7.7 percent.

Go also said ensuring good mental health among their populations is high in the agenda of APEC’s 21 economies as their leaders discuss ways to achieve inclusive economic growth.
“In order to have inclusive growth and sustainable development, there is a need to invest in healthy communities,” he said.

Connection

With diseases resulting in economic losses, APEC leaders have identified four key actions: creating the “Healthy Asia Pacific 2020 Initiative” roadmap; addressing the rise of infectious diseases and anti-microbial resistance; promoting physical and mental well-being by arresting the rise of chronic diseases and reducing the stigma attached to mental illnesses; and recognizing the ill effects of diseases on the economy, with more people forced to retire early because of poor health.

APEC leaders have recognized the challenge posed by HIV/Aids, with almost four million people ages 15 to 49, those who are in their most productive years, in the region afflicted with the disease as of 2003.

While the disease has not had a significant impact on the economies, it has disrupted workplace operations and reduced productivity of individual economies, prompting APEC leaders to create, in 2007, guidelines for creating effective workplace practices for people living with HIV and Aids and prevention in workplace settings.

Go said awareness campaigns are being heightened to stop the spread of the disease.

“The approach to the HIV is not just treatment, but also prevention (through) public education and also public health interventions,” he said.

Under-reported

In Central Visayas, Cebu Province tops the list with 67 persons confirmed to be living with Aids, and 1,872 others who tested positive for HIV but have yet to show or feel symptoms.

Since 1984, at least 62 people from Central Visayas have died because of Aids, according to the Department of Health.

As for mental health, Go said mental illnesses in the Philippines are often neglected.

“Apparently, many institutions are not yet ready to accommodate mental health problems and it seems to be a neglected non-communicable disease…Being neglected, it’s hardly reported,” he said.

He added that poor mental health affects a person’s ability to work, leading to loss of income.

Go said a strategic needs assessment across different APEC economies is ongoing to collect data on the prevalence of mental illnesses.

He said efforts being done by APEC economies include developing a digital hub where experts can share best practices in ensuring good mental health among their populations.

“We don’t have enough mental health experts in far-flung areas, so we look at best practices where the use of digital technology, say Skype, might allow specialist doctors in urban areas to provide some advice to, say, a general practitioner (in the far-flung area),” said Go.

Attention

The official said efforts to make psychotropic drugs available in remote areas are also underway.

“In reducing stigma, that’s going to be quite a serious social marketing exercise, but it’s in the pipeline as well,” added Go.

Apart from HIV/Aids and mental illnesses, Go said other non-communicable diseases getting closer attention from APEC leaders are obesity and hypertension.

The Philippines is hosting this year’s APEC meetings with the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

In her speech, Secretary Garin urged budget policymakers to make health a priority and see it as an essential investment.

The meeting’s participants were set to hear preliminary results of a study commissioned by the Life Sciences Innovation Forum and the APEC Business Advisory Council on the fiscal impacts of poor health.

“Investing in good health leads to a legacy. This means that future generations will realize that their ancestors cared,” she added.