10% of HIV patients do not undergo treatment

MANILA, Philippines - One of 10 HIV patients does not undergo anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment to suppress progression to AIDS, the Department of Health said yesterday.

Dr. Gerard Belimac, National AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention and Control Program manager, said the DOH cannot compel HIV patients to undergo ARV treatment.

“If you undergo ARV treatment, you really have to be prepared - maybe physically and mentally - because it’s for a lifetime,” he said. 

“You cannot just stop at will because you may develop resistance to the drugs.”         

The ARV treatment is available for free at the DOH, which screens recipients for their medical condition and readiness before placing them under program. 

The supplies came from the international financing institution Global Fund which earmarked $400,000 for the Philippines’ anti-HIV campaign from 2010 to 2012 and from DOH’s budget of P6 million in 2009.

Belimac said the annual cost of treatment per patient is P30,000 for the first line ARV and P50,000 for the second line ARV.

A total of 1,153 HIV patients are on ARV program in the government’s 13 treatment centers nationwide.

They represent 90 percent of those who actually need the treatment.

From January 1984 to October 2010, the DOH had registered a total of 5,729 HIV cases, but 852 of them have progressed into AIDS.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said Filipinos should not be complacent about the AIDS virus because it continues to be a potent threat to their health.

“Countries across the globe are facing this dreaded disease and its disastrous effects on individuals, their families, the health care delivery system, and society in general,” he said.

“Towards the end of 2008, an estimated total number of 33.4 million people were infected with HIV globally.

“Efforts should be intensified to prevent its spread... Risky behaviors are fuelled by lack of awareness on HIV.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay asked yesterday the DOH, concerned government agencies and associations of overseas Filipino workers to give priority to the implementation of HIV-awareness drive.

Joey Salgado, Binay’s media relations officer, said Binay made the call in reaction to reports that there has been an increasing number of OFWs infected with HIV.

“VP Binay is seriously concerned by reports of an increasing number of OFWs infected with HIV,” he said.

Salgado said Binay cited the need for a concerted effort from government agencies and OFWs associations.

“He (Binay) is asking concerned government agencies and OFW associations to work together to address the issue, with concerted HIV-awareness drive as a priority,” he said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano