Daming pulis may AIDS

MANILA, Philippines - Ilang pulis umano na sobrang hilig sa mga bahay aliwan ang mino-mo­nitor ngayon ang kondisyon ng kalusugan kaugnay ng posibilidad na positibo ang mga ito sa nakakahawa at nakamamatay na sakit na Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) at Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Gayunman, tumanggi muna ang PNP na isapubliko ang eksaktong bilang ng mga pulis na hinihinalang dinapuan na ng HIV/AIDS habang patuloy ang mga itong isinasailalim sa proseso ng masusing medical examination matapos na kakitaan ng sintomas ng nasabing karamdaman.

Sinabi ni PNP Spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., kumikilos na ang PNP-HIV –AIDS Committee (PHAC) upang pagkalooban ng tulong medikal at serbisyo ang naturang mga PNP personnel at kanilang mga pamilya na pinangangambahang positibo sa nasabing karamdaman.

“ The PHAC will assist to provide basic health care benefits and services to all PNP personnel and their families and dependents with or suspected to have HIV infection, receive confidential counselling care facilities, reimbursement of medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and ensure prompt release of death benefits for families”, ani Cruz.

“The PNP strictly complies with medical confidentiality in handling medical information, particularly the identity and status of persons with HIV”, ayon pa kay Cruz.

Kasabay nito, sinabi ni Cruz na  tiniyak na ni PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome  na walang mangyayaring diskriminasyon laban sa  mga pulis na hinihinalang may HIV/AIDS.

Samantala, kumilos na rin ang PNP-Health Service upang bigyan ng edukasyon o kaalaman ang may 143,000 personnel ng PNP para makaiwas sa HIV/AIDS.

“The Prevention and Control Program was implemented in order to mitigate the impact of STI, HIV Infection and AIDS in the PNP, to promote awareness in the prevention and control of STI, HIV and AIDS through information, education and communication, to ensure the full protection of human rights and civil liberties of PNP personnel suspected or known to be infected with HIV/AIDS, and, to establish a mechanism for monitoring, evaluating and reporting of HIV/AIDS cases in the PNP”, ang sabi pa ng PNP Spokesman.