Ortega, Nenita L. RMT MA, Jeramie Diaz, Liza Enriquez, Jun Niceto
Remedios AIDS Foundation, Pinoy Plus Association, Manila, Philippines

ORGANIZING COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS:
THE PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE

ISSUE:

The Philippines has an increasing number of persons getting infected with HIV everyday, and so is the membership of the sole national organization of Filipinos living with HIV and AIDS. More of the infected are coming from the rural areas of the country. They have been discriminated, violated and humiliated. With incidences such as this, their human rights had continuously been violated. Access to treatment and other available services had been scarce, if not available.

DESCRIPTION:

Every HIV positive individual had been clamoring for a decent life, non discriminating and non stigmatising society, and an accepting community. They did not want to be HIV positive, they did not ask for this. They are asking for equal rights, right to decent employment. Rights as what non HIV people totally enjoy. They promised to themselves that they will no longer allow violations of their rights, rights in all aspects of their lives.

RESULTS:

Pinoy Plus as an organized community of positive individuals, answering to the needs of their peer HIV positive is the sole national organization of Filipinos living with HIV and AIDS in the country. Fighting for the rights of positive individuals they are now in the forefront of further enriching their organization, documenting violations, evaluating access to every available services including all kinds of treatment. They gone beyond Metro Manila, creating chapters all over the country to address the needs and offer support to individuals in need either directly or indirectly affected by the epidemic. They have learned to teach one another on how to live with HIV and how to fight for their rights.

CONCLUSION:

There is a need for an organized community of HIV positive individuals and PWAs in order to advocate for their needs and concerns, fight for their human rights and equality. Positive individuals must speak out for their rights. People living with HIV/AIDS are not a problem but they are part to the solution. They must be partners in any HIV intervention, if not central to any programs on HIV and AIDS. Once organized, they make a difference, thus, a dramatic impact.