We have all either heard the news on TV or read about it in the newspapers - many human beings have been afflicted by AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). All over the world, more than 28 million people have already died of the disease. And 42 million now are HIV positive. Yet, we hardly realize that AIDS is also devastating the lives of many Filipinos as well. In fact, one thousand eight hundred thirty four (1,834) Filipinos have already been tested positive for HIV. Several hundred have died from the complications of this serious epidemic.
Let me start with a review of the global situation in relation to the spread of AIDS. By the year 2002, a total of 42 million people have been infected by the virus. Nineteen million of these are women. In the year 2002 alone, 5 million people were infected. Three million died in 2002. 1.2 million women died from AIDS in that year alone. Of the 42 million with HIV/AIDS as of 2002, majority, or 29.4 million to be exact, were in Africa. The second largest group was in Asia with a total of 7.2 million people.
Every day, there were a total of 14,000 new HIV infections. More than 95% are in developing countries. 2000 occurred in children under 15 years of age. 12,000 in persons aged 15 to 49 years of whom almost 50% are women and about 50% are 15 to 24 year olds.
The AIDS epidemic in Asia is continuing to spread. In fact, Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said the following at the World Economic Forum East Asia Summit held recently in Kuala Lumpur:
"The epidemic in Asia threatens to become the largest in the world. With more than half the world's population, the region must treat AIDS as an issue of regional urgency. The question is no longer whether Asia will have a major epidemic, but rather how massive it will be. This will depend on what governments, NGOs and other sectors of civil society will do abut this problem of colossal magnitude. By not tackling it now while it is still manageable, the epidemic will have far-reaching effects, destabilizing societies and damaging productivity."
AIDS has already reduced the life-expectancy in many countries. India now has 4 million affected. Cambodia has the highest prevalence rate in Asia. It is already the number one killer in Thailand. Can the Philippines be far behind?
In our country, the virus continues to infect many Filipinos every year. As of February this year, a total of 1,834 have already been infected. Most of these are in the 20-39 years age group. It is estimated that thousands more are infected and which have not been officially documented in the national AIDS Registry.
As for OFWs, there has been a staggering increase in the number of those who are getting infected with HIV. In 1984, there was only one OFW diagnosed to have HIV. In great contrast, in the year 2002 alone, there were already 97 cases - a staggering 9600% increase. As of April this year, a total of 583 OFWs have been diagnosed to have the virus and the number continues to increase every year.
In the year 2001, there were only 458 OFWs infected. These comprised 28% of the 1600 total infected. By 2002, this has already increased to 546 or 30% of the 1796 infected. 214 (or 39%) in this sub-group were seafarers.
Being far away from one's family, having an abundance of money, with women (and men) being easily available, and with lots of pressure from friends, many of our brothers and sisters have succumbed to the wiles of unprotected sexual activity. A few have also been affected due to rape and medical accidents like pin pricks and contamination by blood products. Drug abuse may have affected a few.
The median age for male OFWs being infected is 38 with age range being 20-69, while the median is 32 for female OFWs, with age range 20-60 years.
In relation to job classification, seafarers top the list with a total of 227 already infected. Domestic helpers are second with 103 (18%). Company employees are third with 59 (10%). Nurses are fourth with 30 (5%) and then entertainers with 26 (4%) being infected. Sixty-six OFWs have already died from AIDS. Twenty five percent of these are women. Aside from the social and psychological impact of HIV/AIDS, we are also losing millions of dollars due to loss of employment and loss of income.
If we fail to address AIDS, then sustainable development and the eradication of poverty will never be achieved since AIDS destroys the world's most valuable resource - human beings. A report released by UNAIDS for the World Summit on Sustainable Development recently held in Johannesburg warns that by robbing communities and nations of their greatest asset - their people,(and may I add, this includes OFWs), AIDS drains the human and institutional capacities that drive sustainable development. This distorts labor markets, disrupts productions and consumption, erodes productive and public sectors and ultimately diminishes national wealth. As HIV prevalence rises, the poverty situation becomes worse, and, in combination with other setbacks, food crises can be triggered.
Thus, all of us need to get involved in the war against AIDS. Joining forces is essential if the battles are to be fought effectively. To do so requires significant broadening of prevention programs, care and support (including provision of medications, fighting stigma and discrimination, and the greater involvement of people with AIDS), and a lessening of the impact on social and economic development. There are many consequences of having AIDS, and one of them has to deal with the discrimination and stigma of society. HIV/AIDS is a costly disease, entailing many socio-economic problems not only to the person involved but to the entire family as well. Direct impact includes not only loss of income and employment, but also opportunity costs, and the difficulty of coping with medical and other forms of expenses due to long-term illness and death. The provision of anti-retroviral medications will definitely cause a substantial decline in these problems, and decreasing stigma and discrimination also help these people to live normal lives, thus minimizing the socio-economic impact of AIDS.
And our OFWs need to be knowledgeable about the modes of transmission of the virus, and they need to take preventive measures against the illness. They should also be exemplary models to other overseas workers, practicing abstinence, fidelity to one partner, and/or safe sex, like using condoms. With more than 7 million Filipinos working worldwide, most of them excellent English speakers and with excellent interpersonal skills, they can have a high degree of influence as exemplary models and peer educators to other contract workers all over the world.
In conclusion, we should be well aware of our joint responsibility to mount an extraordinary effort to fight a global AIDS epidemic that is decimating millions of our fellow mankind; without doing so, all of our efforts at poverty reduction will not succeed. As the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, would put it, "For there to be any hope of success in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the world must join together in a great global alliance."
