HIV-AIDS: Misinformation is the Real Killer

HIV-AIDS: Misinformation is the Real Killer

Cruz, Alexander John

6 December 2013

I have always thought that human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are the same, and that they are terms that can be interchangeably used. But when I attended the HIV-AIDS public forum last December 3, 2013, organized by the University Student Council of UP Diliman with its partner organizations and college based student councils at the CMC Auditorium, all the foggy concepts and blurry things about HIV-AIDS, somehow, became more clear in my head.

The forum started at around 6:30 PM already and students from different STS sections, partner organizations, members of the USC and other attendees then came. The first speaker was Mr. Ryan Pinili, president of Take the Test, Incorporated, which is a volunteer group that offers guidance, counselling and other services with regard to HIV and AIDS testing. Mr. Pinili highlighted some facts and figures with regard to the status of our country with HIV and AIDS. Mr. Pinili highlighted that the Philippines is one of the nine countries with a 25% increase in new HIV infections and in 2013, an average of 13 cases of HIV were recorded daily. Also, July 2013 data showed that 26% of the infected ones came from the 15-24 age group. After Mr. Pinili’s lecture, Dr. Eric Tayag, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, delivered his lecture on the misconceptions of the people about HIV-AIDS. One that struck me the most is that, men having sex with men (MSM) is the becoming the norm in the Philippines today, particularly in rural areas like Metro Manila; and that, it is not about homosexuals and bisexuals anymore, but even for heterosexuals who are married or in a committed relationship. He even mentioned that he has this study where he found out that in a small community in Mindanao, MSM is a rite of passage. He explained the difference between HIV and AIDS in his lecture—that HIV is a virus developed and the severe version of the infection is AIDS. Being not that familiar with the infection, I have always thought that the main reason why people are catching HIV or AIDS is that because they engage in sexual activities with infected people, but then, Dr. Tayag highlighted that there are only 1-3% the chances that the infection can be transferred sexually. He also highlighted that blood transfusion is the main reason having a 90% chances of transferring HIV from one person to another. With that, he warned us to be wary in taking in medications and tests that involves the use of a needle or having blood transferred from people who are not screened thoroughly and rigorously. After his lecture, fear crept through the place as silence commenced as he mentioned his last words before he finally ended his talk. Freddy Acaba of Action for Health Initiatives Incorporated (ACHIEVE) concluded the session by introducing ACHIEVE as a non-government institution, its functions and how can it help people living with AIDS especially the youth.

Continuing on the seminar, an open forum commenced which is participated in by the students present in the event. There were a lot of questions and clarifications that were entertained by the distinguished guests. As for the assessment of the event management and the event in general, the forum started a bit late. Nevertheless, the pilot organizer, UP Diliman USC and partner organizations and institutions really did a great job as they were prepared with the attendance sheets, certificates of appreciation, other materials needed such as laptop, projector, microphones and sound system among many others. The host made it sure that the program will run in a smooth flow—from the introduction of the speaker up to the awarding of the certificates.

I firmly commend the organizers for a job well done and I expect more activities which can be participated in by more students not just those advocates for HIV-AIDS but for all people, for them to be aware of the virus, the infection and all the repercussions and consequences of the decisions people living with HIV (or even those without). We need to be aware of the different causes and effects of these infectious diseases as well as the means of transfer and also to know what services provided by the government and different institutions can offer for the public especially those people living with HIV-AIDS; because like any other thing in the world, as for HIV-AIDS and other diseases and infections, misinformation and the lack of information is the real killer.