DOH-7 Lauds New HIV/AIDS Policy
The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 lauded Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s move to sign a new law strengthening the prevention and treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and removes barriers to its related services.
According to Dr. Philip Van Baton, Medical Officer III from DOH-7 Center for Health Development, the salient feature of the law that they have been clamoring for is the lowering of the minimum age of testing.
Since the increase of the epidemic around 2009, only persons aged 18 years and above are not required to present consent from their parents or legal guardians when they take the HIV test.
Under the new law, this legal barrier has been removed.
“Our data says that the age group of 15 to 24 has the fastest and highest prevalence of acquiring the epidemic,” Baton said. “Removing this restriction (parental consent) will help us detect who the persons living with HIV are faster and earlier,” he added.
Baton noted that some youths are not comfortable in discussing the possibility of having HIV and AIDS with their family, thus they cannot get the parental guidance required for the test.
“Since 15-year olds may now take the test without the consent, more young people will be encouraged to take the test and more youth can be given immediate treatment,” Baton said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement on Jan. 9 announced that Pres. Duterte has signed Republic Act 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Act of 2018 on Dec. 20.
The new law is a strengthened policy for the delivery of treatment, care, and support services to Filipinos living with HIV and AIDS.
The law also eliminates the climate of the stigma that surrounds the epidemic and the people directly and indirectly affected by it.
Under the new law, civil liability can also be charged to any person who has obtained confidential HIV/AIDS information and uses such to malign or cause damage to another.
Central Visayas is currently included in the top four regions with the highest number of HIV cases, said Baton.
He said the new law will definitely help ease HIV and AIDS cases in the country as it is a multi-sectoral and a more comprehensive approach, anchored on the principles of human rights and dignity. (Jan Karla Madrio/PIA)
