Monday, May 23, 2022
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Columns Everyman

Are people living with HIV considered PWDs?

by
April 2, 2018, 12:15 am
in Everyman
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
618
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

By Arpee Lazaro 

The answer to that is a resounding “yes.” People living with HIV (PLHIV) or those who are HIV positive are considered to be persons with disabilities.   

However, many of our PLHIV in the Philippines are struggling with several issues that prevent them from having access to their privileges as PWDs. One such issue is the stigma attached to the medical condition itself. To most people, HIV is often wrongly believed to be abnormally contagious and can be contracted by basic human interaction like touching or using the same lavatory. From this stigma comes discrimination and the lack of sympathy for HIV sufferers. Instead of compassion, PLHIVs are met with disdain and contempt. 

As of 2017, the Department of Health reports that there are approximately 47,000 reported cases of HIV infections in the Philippines, 37 percent of which is concentrated in the National Capital Region. This is in contrast with the statistics of the World Health Organization that stated that in 2016, HIV infections in the Philippines may have already reached 52,000. 

Regardless of the actual number of reported cases, the stark reality is that the number of HIV infections continues to rise, up to 140 percent in the Philippines by 2017. In  fact, the Philippines has been known to have registered the fastest-growing HIV/AIDS infection rate in the entire Asia Pacific region. Note that having the fastest-growing  number of infections does not necessarily mean that we have the most number of cases. On the contrary, we are in the bottom five Asian countries that have citizens infected with HIV.  

ADVERTISEMENT

Will HIV give you a disability? That depends. Most of the HIV sufferers are not symptomatic in the early stages, meaning they show no signs of the disease. The problem with most Filipino HIV sufferers is that they will not bother going to the doctor for testing until their health begins to fail. Only then will they have themselves tested, and when they are found to be positive, it would have been too late; they would have infected other people through indiscriminate sexual contact. By then, many HIV sufferers will be unprepared to face the deluge of issues caused by the stigma of having HIV and the plethora of health problems, coming in waves one after the other. This is the time when the term “disabled” becomes an apt description. 

Though HIV is considered to be a chronic disease, those who are given PWD IDs, are usually tagged as psychosocial as  the nature of their disability. There is a reason why some PDAO (persons with disability affairs office) assessors have tagged PLHIV as psychosocially disabled; medical information such as testing positive for HIV cannot be disclosed publicly. It is in the interest of the PLHIV that his illness not be revealed because of the discrimination suffered as soon as the condition is known. It has been documented that in some provincial municipal PDAOs have indicated “mental illness” as the nature of disability in the PWD ID. There is also a stigma attached to those who are sufferers of mental illness and may not be any better than just admitting outright that the person has HIV. 

As a disability, HIV is more than just the sum of its haters. The PLHIV is often considered to be a walking contagion. This is something that will take years to correct in the minds of the general public. Unlike sufferers or survivors of cancer or someone with an inborn disability such as blindness or deafness, HIV sufferers do not get any sympathy from those around them. Their own families hate them as they become an emotional and financial burden, plus the fear of contracting the disease in some other way other than sexual contact. HIV is a badge of humiliation and condemnation, something that other PWDs do not suffer as much. At the very least, other PWDs get pity. PLHIVs get hated. In a restaurant, a PLHIV who flashes a PWD ID that lists HIV positive as their disability face the possibility of refusal of service, something that restaurants, spas, salons and other service establishments are actually entitled to under the law. 

Current laws dictate that there is a certain age requirement for HIV testing. Those who are 16 and younger cannot be tested without the approval of their legal guardians or parents. Good luck expecting a 17-year old sexually active teenager voluntarily go for HIV testing just for the prudence of it. No one would also be brave enough to go to a government clinic for free testing because of the stigma, the possible reputational issues and even the fear of the parents finding out. With changes to the law being made ready, HIV testing will soon be available to teenagers younger than 16 years old and will not require parental approval, making anonymous testing more accessible. 

With enough education and understanding, HIV can be preventable and the youth kept safe. HIV is not as contagious as people think it is, if only the people are well-educated on the nature of this disease and  how it is transmitted. 

Mr. Lazaro does reputation management, brand development, social advocacy and political campaigns. 

Tags: Department of HealthPeople Living with HIVpersons with disabilitiesPhilippineWorld Health Organization
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

A noble initiative: the Tullahan rehab project

byMelandrew Velasco
May 16, 2022, 12:00 am
0
261
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

"It is our shared responsibility." With the looming onset of the rainy season, focus must now be on the dredging...

Read more

Comelec caught between the devil and the deep blue sea

byNonnie Pelayo
May 12, 2022, 12:20 am
0
304
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

With all the problems confronting the country, it is a wonder why so many still want to be the leader....

Read more

Cleaning up the mess

byFrancisco S. Tatad
April 8, 2022, 12:00 am
0
606
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

"Time to separate facts from propaganda." Cleaning up the mess The 2022 Philippine presidential campaign has so polarized and divided...

Read more

The art of giving, Don Ramon’s way

byMelandrew Velasco
March 25, 2022, 12:05 am
0
335
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

"He expects nothing in return." The recent inauguration of the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. Nursery and Eco-learning Center was one...

Read more

Peace science: Closing the ‘gap’ in academics and lay inventors

byNash B. Maulana
February 21, 2022, 12:00 am
0
326
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

"Here’s a project by some high school students." Pandemic regulations bring one back to thoughts of exploring possibilities, working along...

Read more

Matrikula

byNonnie Pelayo
February 18, 2022, 12:00 am
0
358
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

"Read on and weep." Presidential candidates all talk about the billions of pesos being allegedly stolen from public funds and...

Read more

Stories you may like

  • Ex-Naga dad links Leni’s brother-in-law to illegal drugs

    Ex-Naga dad links Leni’s brother-in-law to illegal drugs

    35932 shares
    Share 14373 Tweet 8983
  • Of course, it was BBM’s project

    30337 shares
    Share 12135 Tweet 7584
  • INC endorses BBM, Sara

    28675 shares
    Share 11470 Tweet 7169
  • Duterte’s seven biggest achievements

    18647 shares
    Share 7459 Tweet 4662
  • Marcos leads SWS survey on presidentiables at 50%

    13541 shares
    Share 5416 Tweet 3385

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • US flight brings tons of needed baby formula from Germany
  • China slams US Asia strategy as Biden visits S.Korea, Japan
  • Hopeful splashing
  • After 13 years
  • Sneakers for Makati : AB4.0
  • Polls aftermath: COVID surge
  • Gilas loses crown to Indonesia, 81-85 as PH ends SEAG at 4th place overall
  • New govt faces lack of funds for stimulus package—solon

Advertisement

Latest News

Polls aftermath: COVID surge

byWillie Casas
May 23, 2022, 12:50 am
0
268
Comelec spokes, deputy face relief over debate fiasco

Expert sees spike anytime as PH logs highest new cases since May 1 A surge in COVID-19 cases is expected...

Read more

Gilas loses crown to Indonesia, 81-85 as PH ends SEAG at 4th place overall

byRiera U. Mallari
May 23, 2022, 12:40 am
0
216
NPC officially for Romualdez in Speaker race

Hanoi—The Philippines concluded its 31st Southeast Asian Games campaign at fourth place overall on Sunday, but the real heartbreaker was...

Read more

New govt faces lack of funds for stimulus package—solon

byManila Standard
May 23, 2022, 12:35 am
0
204

The incoming administration of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may not have funds it will need for its stimulus package...

Read more

NPC officially for Romualdez in Speaker race

byManila Standard
May 23, 2022, 12:30 am
0
208
NPC officially for Romualdez in Speaker race

The Nationalist People’s Coalition has formalized its support for the speakership bid of Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez...

Read more

BBM spokes named Executive Secretary, more nominees up

byRey E. Requejo
May 23, 2022, 12:25 am
0
568
Speaker Velasco backs Romualdez as his successor

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, the spokesman and chief-of-staff of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said Sunday he has been nominated...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App