Male-on-male sex tagged for surging HIV cases

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Health studies show that 92% of all Filipinos infected with HIV in 2010 are males.

Around 80% of these people are found to be MSMs, or males having sex with males.

“RP,” a person living with HIV (PL-HIV) from Mindanao, cited technology as a possible trigger for the sudden upsurge.

“High-tech na tayo ngayon eh. Meron nang cellphone, meron nang chat. Diyan nabubuo yung mga clan, mga grupong nagkikita, at dun na nakakahanap ng bagong partner.”

In his hometown, “RP” also observed a shift in the profile of PL-HIVs.

From a predominance by sex workers, they are now seeing a lot of students testing positive for HIV.

He noted that medical schools, especially nursing schools, are having an increase in PLHIVs, partly because of a large presence of MSMs preferring to take nursing.

“RP” appealed to the public not to collectively judge the MSM community as promiscuous.

Although some  actually are, he admitted.

“Minsan naman may pang-isahan lang. Pero iba dyan ang gusto 6 months lang. Iba 5 days. Yung iba naman kapag nabigo, maiisip na ‘kukuha ako ng limang partner para makalimot.'”

“RP” also disproved the notion that HIV infections only happen in Manila. “Sa buong bansa, may HIV na. Bata, matanda, babae, lalaki.”

Support groups

“Echo” runs a support group for fellow PLHIVs.

He calls his group Pinoy Plus. They provide people with the same ordeal the knowledge and support needed to get through life with HIV.

They conduct counseling and guide new PLHIVs on how to get the proper testing and medication.

“Hindi lang kami problema sa lipunan. Gusto rin naming maging bahagi ng solusyon. Gawin niyo kaming partner sa cause na ito.”

It turned out that PLHIVs have their choice of support groups they could join.

PLHIV advocates have been forming networks from all parts of the Philippines, such as Cebu, Davao, and Zamboanga, where HIV infections also occur.

The first step these support groups advise is to get tested.

Most hospitals, at least in Metro Manila, allow for the testing of HIV, results of which will be processed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

Once tested positive, a PLHIV can go to what they call “treatment hubs,” one-stop shops where they can avail of free medication, as well as counseling.

In Manila, the treatment hubs are the San Lazaro Hospital, the Philippine General Hospital, and the RITM. –Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News