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Wanted: More peer educators
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – The number of Western Visayans infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has risen to 1,516, revealed the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
To arrest the spread of the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), an HIV prevention advocate stressed the importance of peer counseling.
The 1,516 were cumulative cases from January 1986 to October 2016, according to DOH. Iloilo City has the highest number at 393, followed by Bacolod City with 280 cases.
Iloilo province has 289 cases; Negros Occidental, 265; Capiz, 104; Aklan, 93; Antique, 64; and Guimaras, 28.
In June this year, there were 1,357 HIV/AIDS cases.
According to HIV prevention advocate Robert Figuracion Jr., peer educators have the power to inspire people be courageous in taking HIV tests.
Knowing one’s HIV status is the first step to preventing infection, said Figuracion.
Those who test positive, on the other hand, become empowered to take steps to take good care of themselves and control the infection with the help of concerned agencies.
HIV alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. AIDS is the stage of infection that occurs when the immune system is badly damaged and one becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
Presently, there are over 100 HIV/AIDS peer educators in Western Visayas, according to Figuracion.
“Mas dali ka maka-relate kun ang naga-istorya sa imo ka-level mo (ang edad),” he explained.
Peer educators hold seminars and workshops in communities, schools and LGBT (lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual) groups.
Figuracion said the focus of the advocacy is the youth sector as HIV cases coming from their age bracket are getting alarming.
Data from DOH showed that 67 youths with ages 15-24 from Western Visayas were diagnosed with HIV during the first half of this year.
One can get or transmit HIV only through specific activities. Most commonly, people get or transmit HIV through unprotected sex and needle or syringe use.
Figuracion said 100 peer educators in the region are not enough. HIV/AIDS education must reach even the far-flung areas, he stressed.
Several factors were cited by Christine Mosqueda, nurse coordinator of DOH-6 for sexually transmitted infections, for the increasing number of HIV infections in the region.
“First, we have stepped up our HIV prevention campaign. Now, more people take HIV tests. They are not afraid anymore. There is no more stigma attached to the test. Daw routine na lang ang pagpa-check,” said Mosqueda.
Figuracion urged more Ilonggos to volunteer becoming HIV/AIDS peer educators.
No effective cure for HIV currently exists, but with proper treatment and medical care, HIV can be controlled.
The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy or ART. If taken the right way, every day, this medicine can dramatically prolong the lives of many people with HIV, keep them healthy, and greatly lower their chance of transmitting the virus to others.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ray Celis of the HIV/AIDS Core Team at the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) said that as of Oct. 30 this year, they were catering to 550 persons living with HIV/AIDS. Around 86 percent or 478 of them were taking anti-retroviral medication.
This year, WVMC has 224 additional new cases but 24 already died due to AIDS-related conditions, he revealed.
All patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are referred to WVMC for management. It is one of the two treatment hubs available in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental, Celis said.
Yesterday was World AIDS Day. DOH Region 6 marked the day with an event at the West Visayas State University – College of Nursing in La Paz district here together with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP).
The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day was “Promoting Unity to Stop HIV in the Philippines.”
Figuracion of FPOP urged HIV/AIDS peer educators like him to recommit themselves to the advocacy.
“This is a celebration of life. We remember our brave warriors (peer educators) nga nagabulig sang aton advocacy to prevent the spread of HIV kag nagsalbar sang kabuhi sang iban,” said Figuracion.
Meanwhile, the World AIDS Day Run 2016 here on Dec. 11 is expected to generate some P100,000 to be donated to the United Western Visayas Inc., a community of people living with HIV. It targets students from 10 colleges and universities in this city./PN
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