For a range of reasons -- from having infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or C, or even just having abnormal x-ray results -- at least 142  overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were deported from the Middle East since last year,  a Saudi-based medical association reported.

Dr. Tawfik Khoja said the Filipinos  were repatriated from the Middle East in 2012 and 2013 after being found to have infectious diseases like HBsAg (Hepa B), HCV (Hepa C), HIV/AIDS, and abnormal x-ray results upon arriving in their host countries.

Khoja is the director general of the Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States (GAMCA), an accredited medical association in Saudi Arabia.

The report said the OFWs were deported from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

The cases included:

• 50 cases of HBsAg (Hepatitis B),
• 12 cases of HCV (Hepa C), 
• three cases of HIV, and
• 77 abnormal x-ray results.

“The Health Ministers Council for Gulf Cooperation Council States were alarmed that an increasing number of OFWs deployed to the Middle East were found positive for HIV and other infectious diseases,” the report said.

HIV cases

Meanwhile, Philippine Department of Health (DOH) statistics show that 342 OFWs were found positive for HIV in 2012.

The figure comprises about 10 percent of the percent of the total number of cases reported for that year:

The DOH said the latest figure showed a 79 percent increase in the number of cases from a year ago.

Out of the 342 HIV patients, 301 (88 percent) were males while 41 (12 percent) were females according to data from the Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC).

All of the OFWs were infected via sexual intercourse.

As of January this year, there were 12,082 HIV/AIDS cases among Filipinos.

This translates to an average of 12 new cases every day, the highest ever since the DOH started monitoring HIV cases in 2004. 

One out of every five new HIV cases involves an OFW.

Source: Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com (May 30, 2013)

All eyes are on Malate, the heart and home of Manila's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) nightlife as it celebrates the 12th White Party Manila on June 29.

Internet sensation celebrity Sebastian Castro graces the event as the face of White Party Manila. The openly gay painter-singer is an advocate of gender equality, widely accepted by the Filipino LGBT community for being proud of his sexuality.

Started in 2001, the White Party is the largest annual gathering of LGBTs and avenue for celebrating equality, unity, and acceptance. Chelu Productions, in coordination with the Malate Business Association, spearheads this year’s White Party celebration alongside several organizations promoting LGBT-related advocacies.

For its 12th year, a whole new program dazzles the White Party guests celebrating the efforts and the triumphs of the LGBT community towards equal rights in the Philippines. The street party starts at 8PM featuring the latest club music from select DJs, with guest performances and special production numbers.

General admission is P200 (entrance only) and VIP tickets are at P1000 with unlimited drinks. For Ticket Inquiry and Reservations, please contact 09278613913.

Source: www.gmanetwork.com (June 10, 2013)

Newly Diagnosed HIV Cases in the Philippines

In APRIL 2013, there were 388 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) and reported to the HIV and AIDS Registry. This was 67% higher compared to the same period last year (n=233 in 2012).

Most of the cases (95%) were males. The median age was 28 years (age range: 17-63 years). The 20-29 year (61%) age group had the most number of cases.

Reported mode of transmission were sexual contact (356) and needle sharing among injecting drug users (32). Males having sex with other males (81%) were the predominant type of sexual transmission. Most (94%) of the cases were still asymptomatic at the time of reporting.

In April 2013, bulk of the new HIV cases came from NCR, Region 4A, Region 7, Region 11, and Region 3. The three highest reporting regions were NCR, 4A, and 7.

Source: Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry
www.pnac.org.ph/uploads/documents/publications/NEC_HIV_April-AIDSreg2013.pdf

Newly Diagnosed HIV Cases in the Philippines

In MARCH 2013, there were 370 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) and reported to the HIV and AIDS Registry. This was 18% higher compared to the same period last year (n=313 in 2012).

Most of the cases (96%) were males. The median age was 28 years (age range: 17-63 years). The 20-29 year (55%) age group had the most number of cases.

Reported mode of transmission were sexual contact (364) and needle sharing among injecting drug users (6). Males having sex with other males (85%) were the predominant type of sexual transmission. Most (97%) of the cases were still asymptomatic at the time of reporting.

For March 2013, bulk of the new HIV cases came from NCR, Region 4A, Region 7, Region 3, and Region 11. The three highest reporting regions were NCR, 4A, and 7.

Source: Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry
www.pnac.org.ph/uploads/documents/publications/NEC_HIV_March-AIDSreg2013.pdf

Newly Diagnosed HIV Cases in the Philippines

In FEBRUARY 2013, there were 339 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) and reported to the HIV and AIDS Registry. This was 24% higher compared to the same period last year. 

Most of the cases (96%) were males. The median age was 27 years (age range: 18-58 years). The 20-29 year (60%) age group had the most number of cases.

Reported mode of transmission was sexual contact (339). Males having sex with other males (82%) were the predominant type of sexual transmission. Most (93%) of the cases were still asymptomatic at the time of reporting.

In February 2013, bulk of the new HIV cases came from NCR, Region 4A, Region 3, Region 11, and Region 7. The three highest reporting regions were NCR, 4A, and 3. 

Source: Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry
www.pnac.org.ph/uploads/documents/publications/NEC_HIV_Feb-AIDSreg2013.pdf