It has been more than 3 and a half decades since discovering HIV / AIDs (human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). However, it is said that people who still have it continue to experience stigma and discrimination.
One of them is 38-year-old “Owie,” who has been living with HIV for 17 years.
According to him, their behavior and treatment of people living with HIV (PLHIV) have become even more difficult now with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nagkaroon ng problema during the pandemic kasi hindi napaghandaan, ‘yong iba ay one month ‘yong bottle at nagkaroon pa tayo ng ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) so hindi makalabas,” he said.
“Nagkakaroon pa ng mga checkpoint na kailangang ipakitang mga dokumento ang mga PLHIV,” he added.
It also emerged from a study by the support group The Library Foundation-Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators Collective Inc. (TLF-SHARE).
“Because checkpoint personnel do not know how to deal with PLHIV person. There was risk of discrimination and risk of not being allowed to go through because of assumed immuno-compromised status,” said Ruthy Labatique, lead researcher of TLF-SHARE.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has promised to consider such incidents.
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Filipinos with HIV experience discrimination amid pandemic
“Makakaasa ho kayo na bibigyan namin ng pansin ito pong usapin na ito at sa pag-raise ng consciousness ng ating mga kapulisan,” said PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana.
“Sobrang internalized ng stigma… ‘pag internalized na siya, kaibigan at sarili ang tutulong,” said Tristan Jake Trillo of Safe Open Space.
According to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, principal author of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the government should ensure people living with HIV.
“We cannot let the COVID-19 pandemic derail all our efforts in our long fight against HIV and AIDS,” she said.
For “Owie,” community support for those living with HIV is a big deal.
“Sana tulungan kami na mabawasan ‘yong stigma at discrimination lalo na ngayon sa pandemic,” he said.