Those facing HIV risk urged to undergo test

MANILA, Philippines - Amid the soaring HIV/AIDS cases in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) has asked those at risk of contracting the virus to come out and be tested.

Dr. Gerald Belimac, program manager of the DOH’s National AIDS/Sexuality Transmitted Infection Prevention and Control Program, said many people now get themselves tested for HIV due to heightened awareness about the disease.

But still, he said there are many others who practice “risky behaviors” but do not want to be screened for the virus.

“There are now more activities on HIV testing. But still, our first challenge now why we cannot meet that (reduction in cases) is we still have a small number of people undergoing HIV testing. We have to bring this up,” he said.

Most at risk to get the AIDS virus are those who engage in unprotected sex between men and in unprotected heterosexual sex and those who have partners who are infected.

And when those tested turned positive for HIV, Belimac said they begin to retreat and will no longer go back to clinics.

Because of this, Belimac said they deprive themselves of the free anti-retroviral therapy (ARV) being provided for free by the DOH with funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“It is still primarily because of stigma, the fear of being discovered that they are infected because people will give meaning to their infection — that they are gays. Another reason is denial. They are not ready to accept they are infected already with HIV,” he added.

DOH records show that from 1984 to June 2012, there were 9,964 HIV cases in the country, 1,061 of which have progressed into AIDS, with 353 deaths.

Since March this year, 2,275 cases are on ARV. 

“Our second problem is that the moment they are diagnosed with HIV, they disappear and would go back to the facility when it is already too late. They already have symptoms. We encourage those who have tested positive to really go to treatment hubs,” Belimac said.

He gave assurance that there is still enough supply of ARV for them especially since its price keeps on going down. The cost of ARV for each patient is only $100 a year.

Belimac said doctors prefer that infected individuals take ARV early on in the infection when there are still no symptoms and complications. ARV is a protocol of medicine that can slow down the progression of HIV into AIDS.

“When you already have AIDS, that means you have other co-infections. The protocol is to treat first the co-infections before they can be given ARV because there might be some interaction with the medicine,” he said.

But Belimac said that before undergoing ARV, a patients needs to be prepared physically and mentally because the treatment must be taken for life.

“Physically because there are laboratory examinations that they must undergo. Mentally because they have to be psychologically prepared because this is a lifetime treatment.  If you stop taking ARV, the treatment will fail,” he added.