World AIDS Day is held every December 1st and is an opportunity for concerned individuals and organizations all over the world to show support for the fight against the spread of HIV.
Here in the Philippines, there has been an alarming increase in the number of HIV positive cases. Last May 2015, the Department of Health (DOH) registered a record high 748 new cases of HIV/AIDS - which is 51 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Last June, a report posted on the website of CNN Philippines stated that Cebu City is ranked number one in terms of prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among all cities in the country.
Last October, the DOH recorded 29,079 newly diagnosed HIV cases nationwide. A few days ago, DOH Secretary Janette Garin warned that ?If we do not slow down our HIV epidemic, if we do not invest in preventing new HIV infections, the number of PLHIV (people living with HIV) will reach 133,000 by 2022.?
We can only hope that the presidential candidates here in the Philippines will remember to discuss this very important issue.
In the major cities of the Philippines, needle-sharing during the use of illegal intravenous drugs has been tagged as the leading cause of HIV spread, followed by males who engage in unprotected sex with males, and then by female sex workers.
It would be prudent for the powers that be in our country, who are in charge of sporting disciplines where blood is spilled on the regular basis like boxing and MMA, to review their licensing requirements and license renewal procedures and include regular HIV testing.
World AIDS day is also a time to reflect on the millions of lives lost to the virus. We in the boxing community remember Tommy Morrison and Esteban de Jesus.
Being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence. It can be managed by adequate treatment. Consult a physician if you feel you need to get tested.
Education is the best tool to stop HIV. Read about and talk about it with your friends and family.
Be safe.
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