MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a bill mandating new strategies in the fight against the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country.
“We have very high hopes we will have a new Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS) prevention and control law by mid-year at the latest,” Rep. Arnel Ty of the party-list group Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association, one of the authors of bill, said yesterday.
Ty said the Senate is scheduled to conduct a hearing today on a counterpart bill authored by Sen. Miriam Santiago.
He said the anti-HIV/AIDS measures mandate the Philippine National AIDS Council to draw up a fresh six-year program with definite targets to reverse the average 45 percent annual increase in new HIV cases in the country since 2010.
HIV causes AIDS, which destroys the human body’s immune system and still does not have any cure. However, anti-retroviral therapy can slow down the ailment.
According to the Department of Health, HIV is being spread in the country primarily through high-risk sexual contact, predominantly male-to-male sex, and needle sharing among illegal drug users.
A total of 3,338 new HIV infections were diagnosed nationwide in 2012, up by 42 percent or 989 cases, compared to the 2,349 detected in 2011.
Once enacted, Ty said the anti-HIV/AIDS bill “will go a long way in improving the living conditions of HIV-positive people through greater access to treatment, care and support.”
“The bill also sets tougher penalties for entities and individuals who discriminate against HIV-positive people as well as those who violate their rights to confidentiality,” he said.
He said there is still time to pass the measure into law if the Senate approves its version next week.
Source:
Jess Diaz, The Philippine Star (January 31, 2012)
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/01/31/903146/house-oks-anti-hiv/aids-bill
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Eycharboi · 632 weeks ago
I can feel so much positive vibes everytime i check this blog., so for that reason alone, let me thank u for this wonderful palce. :)
I'm a pozzie too, and im not sad about that., not too happy either lol..
I started taking my ARVs yesterday, and my doctor has given me a "hypoallergenic diet" for 2 months. It lists all the foods that if consumed, might cause allergic reactions to my body. I didn't realize it will have such a great impact to my daily llifestyle as i take lots of foods that are apparently listed in the paper. Needless to say po, I have a dilemma in preparing my meals, or buying foods outside. I do not want to take risks so I stick to this diet religiously talaga.
I was wondering if you could share, or if you know someone who could share their meal plans during the first few weeks of taking the meds. I am hoping to see a dietician din sometime soon, but it would also make me happy if our folks here could share me some ideas :) Selamat. :)
pinoypositive 30p · 630 weeks ago
also, refrain din tayo from eating mga sinugba; those that are grilled. and bawal din oysters. and let us also be particular on how our food is being prepared. nakaka-paranoid, pero it's for our well-being din.
although i'm still not taking ARVs, i'm also trying to comply sa mga recommendations ng mga HIV specialists especially on food intake, diet, exercise, and activities of daily living. :-)
mork · 392 weeks ago