Churches clash over proposed mandatory HIV test

MANILA, Philippines - The proposal for mandatory human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing has triggered yet another debate between the Catholic and Protestant churches in the country.

A senior Catholic prelate yesterday expressed provisional support to the controversial measure, while an official of the national organization of Protestant churches stood firm against the proposal.

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said there is nothing wrong with the plan of the Department of Health (DOH) as long as protective measures will be in place including the proper handling of patients.

The prelate said the only condition should be that the “proper care in handling of patients and cases proper to the human dignity will be exercised by the government.”

Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana, chair of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), disagreed.

He believes no condition could justify the proposal that violates the people’s rights.

“Compulsory HIV tests are not only violative of people’s rights but also heighten stigma and discrimination,” he said in a statement.

Instead of a reactive measure, the NCCP official said the DOH should come up with a more comprehensive and effective HIV awareness program to which churches can be of help.

“We call on the churches and other organizations to intensify the campaign on HIV and AIDS awareness. None is more essential than a united effort to promote an informed public, breaking myths and upholding the truth about HIV and AIDS,” said Fajutagana.

He suggested that the DOH, for instance, could prioritize medical treatment and other support mechanisms easily accessible for people living with HIV.

Fajutagana said HIV testing should remain voluntary.

“We do, however, encourage young people to go for HIV tests and we reiterate this encouragement on this occasion: protect yourself and your future,” Fajutagana said.

“The 934 new cases of HIV infection from January to February 2014 is 43 percent higher compared to the same period last year. It is also alarming that 83 percent of these new cases are in the National Capital Region not to mention that 59 percent of these belong to the 20-29 years age group. Our young people have become vulnerable to HIV,” he added.

Earlier, the DOH clarified that the plan to have mandatory HIV screening would not be for the general public but rather for high-risk groups such as female sex workers, males having sex with males (MSMs), injecting drug users (IDUs), those who undergo surgery or operation, and pregnant women.  

Condoms

The DOH said yesterday that people should not be ashamed of buying condoms to contain the spread of HIV and AIDS.

According to DOH spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy, those who engage in risky sexual activities should use condoms to prevent contracting the AIDS virus. – With Sheila Crisostomo