EDITORIAL - World AIDS Day

With 3,515 cases recorded since January 1984, the incidence of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines is relatively low. Some quarters fear that this may be due to misdiagnosis, or underreporting due to the stigma attached to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Other quarters theorize that Filipinos generally appear to be less susceptible to certain deadly viruses such as those that cause AIDS and SARS.

Regardless of the numbers, the nation cannot take for granted the possible spread of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus. Several years ago the disease took on a local human face in the person of AIDS victim Sarah Jane Salazar, who became the official spokesperson for the anti-AIDS campaign. A former sex worker, Salazar died of AIDS in June 2000 at the age of 25, leaving behind a young boyfriend who also tested positive for HIV.

The high risk of infection should be of concern especially for countries such as the Philippines with a large number of migrant workers. A report prepared by the United Nations Development Program said the growing number of people crossing borders in Southeast Asia in search of economic opportunities puts millions of people at risk of HIV infection.

The UN report said most migrant workers are not covered by national anti-AIDS programs, including access to information and treatment. The report noted that at least 30 percent of people living with HIV in the Philippines and Laos were returning migrants.

Antiretroviral treatments and other therapies have led to a drop in the number of new HIV infections in certain countries, but an increase has been noted elsewhere, according to a report released by the UN Joint Program on HIV/AIDS. The UNAIDS report, released on the eve of World AIDS Day today, showed that about 33 million people around the world were infected with HIV as of last year.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health recorded 59 new HIV infections in October, with 13 of the victims overseas Filipino workers. The virus was diagnosed because HIV screening was required in the countries where the OFWs were working or had planned to work. Though the rate of HIV infection in this country seems manageable, the number of cases could quickly rise without proper information, diagnosis and treatment.