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#StayNegatHIVe: Netizens show support for HIV/AIDS advocacy

Rappler.com

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#StayNegatHIVe: Netizens show support for HIV/AIDS advocacy
Netizens and HIV/AIDS advocates encourage fellow Filipinos, especially the youth, to make themselves aware of the issue and get tested

MANILA, Philippines – Netizens and advocates came together on Friday, September 18, to break the silence on HIV/AIDS, as MovePH launched its #StayNegatHIVe campaign.

The Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in 2015. In March 2015, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 667 new cases, bringing the cumulative cases since 1984 up to 24,376. 

Most netizens encouraged fellow Filipinos, especially the youth, to make themselves aware of the issue. Adults and teachers, however, should also be educated on the topic so they can help stop misinformation.

Another issue highligted is the importance of getting tested. There is no shame in getting tested, HIV/AIDS advocacy group LoveYourself said. At the same time, one’s privacy must also be respected when visiting treatment hubs. 

Fighting the stigma

The biggest battles fought in the HIV/AIDS advocacy is not the disease itself but stigma, advocates said.

For a long time, HIV/AIDS has been called the “gay cancer,” with many Filipinos believing that it is only lesbians, gays, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who can acquire it. This, however, has been proven false by statistics and scientific studies.

Whatever the result may be, the person needs to be loved, accepted, and supported, the netizens agreed.

Institutional support

Awareness is the first step, but having a legislation and supportive government could help keep the advocacy rolling. The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) joined the conversation, urging the government to increase its allocated budget for HIV/AIDS.

The DOH National HIV/STI Prevention Program has a 2015 budget of about P500 million ($11.21 million), 60% of which will go to the treatment of patients. But the PLCPD argued that more funds are needed.

Stay informed

Contrary to what many Filipinos think, it is not only men who have sex with men (MSM) who are vulnerable to acquiring HIV, but anyone engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors such as unprotected sex.

HIV-positive pregnant women may also pass it down to their children during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. But this may be prevented through treatment, which is why it is important for women to also get tested. 

Some Filipinos also still fall prey to HIV/AIDS myths like: 

  • You can get HIV from toilet bowls
  • You can get HIV from sharing food
  • You can get HIV from mosquitos

But such scenarios are not exlusive to the Philippines. HIV remains a “major global public health issue,” according to WHO.  In 2014 alone, 36.9 million people living with HIV were recorded. In the same year, more than a million people worldwide died from HIV-related causes. So far, HIV has claimed over 34 million lives.

#StayNegatHIVe is the first part of MovePH’s HIV/AIDS campaign, a concerted effort between all of MovePH’s communities nationwide, LoveYourself and DM9 JaymeSyfu. We will be bringing in more groups in phase 2, especially those who cater to people living with HIV (PLHIV). –Rappler.com

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