Donated blood positive for HIV

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 60 blood units that were screened for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) since the beginning of the year up to April have been confirmed positive for HIV, the latest  Philippine HIV/AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) registry revealed.

The report said 27 percent or 20 units out of the 74 that were referred for HIV confirmation on April were positive.

Despite the number of HIV-positive blood, the registry did not report a single HIV transmission due to blood transfusion.

Department of Health (DoH) Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag said this only shows the strict measures implemented by the DoH in screening blood for transfusion.

“This is part of the blood safety program. A proof that blood is being adequately screened,” he said.

Earlier, Tayag discouraged the public from looking for their “own” donors for blood transfusion.

“Please don’t choose your donor. Some people get donors from their barangay (village), others call their relatives. It’s better if the blood was donated voluntarily because volunteers take care of their health, he said.”

He also warned that if HIV/AIDS continue to rise, it could endanger the safety of donated blood in the country.

In a separate interview, Dr. Gerard Belimac, DoH program manager of the national AIDS/STI control program, echoed the same message emphasizing that those who engage in risky behaviors should avoid donating blood.

“Our main message to the public is that if they were exposed to risky behaviors, please avoid donating blood because you could be donating your blood to your loved ones, to your friends,” he said.

Meanwhile, the global rate of new HIV infections declined by nearly 25 percent between 2001 and 2009, according to a new report released by the Joint United Nations’ Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

HIV causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune systems are severely undermined, which could lead to full-blown AIDS and then death.

A cure for AIDS has yet to be found although there are drugs that can delay the HIV infection from becoming full-blown AIDS.

In India, the rate of new HIV infections fell by more than 50 percent and in South Africa by more than 35 percent – both countries have the largest number of people living with HIV.

The report, “AIDS at 30: Nations at the crossroads,” found that in the third decade of the epidemic, people were starting to adopt safer sexual behaviors, reflecting the impact of HIV prevention and awareness efforts.

Furthermore, there has been significant progress in preventing new HIV infections among children as increasing number of pregnant women living with HIV have gained access to anti-retroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.

Thus, the number of children newly infected with HIV in 2009 was 26 percent lower than in 2001.

About 115 low- and middle-income countries are providing optimal treatment regimens for pregnant women living with HIV as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Global AIDS response also continues to show results as a record number of people access treatment.

About 6.6 million people were receiving anti-retroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries at the end of 2010, a nearly 22-fold increase since 2001, according to the new report “AIDS at 30: Nations at the crossroads,” released today by UNAIDS.

A record 1.4 million people started lifesaving treatment in 2010 – more than any year before.

According to the report, at least 420,000 children were receiving anti-retroviral therapy at the end of 2010 – more than 50 percent increase since 2008, when 275,000 children were on treatment.

According to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, access to treatment will transform the AIDS response in the next decade.

“We must invest in accelerating access and finding new treatment options. Anti-retroviral therapy is a bigger game-changer than ever before – it not only stops people from dying, but also prevents transmission of HIV to women, men and children,” the UNAIDS executive director said.

As this developed, UNAIDS urges all countries using sub-optimal regimens to revise their treatment guidelines and make the transition to optimal WHO recommended regimens.

There are currently 31 countries that still use sub-optimal regimens in many of their HIV prevention programs. (–JENNY F. MANONGDOw With a report from Roy Mabasa)