There is hope amid HIV, AIDS
Those who are infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) experience feelings of embarrassment, fear and hopelessness, among others. The fear brought about by ignorance on this virus has created a stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHs), causing them to hide. But through the years, people have been educated on this virus and illness and the stigma has gradually subsided. And with the availability of a vaccine that enables them to live normal lives, PLWHs are hopeful that indeed, there is still life even with HIV.
This notion of hope was again brought up during the 29th Candlelight Memorial held last May 20 at the Central Philippine University Church where representatives from the Department of Health and other government and private organizations attended.
At the commemoration, Pastor Normandy Notes cited three promises of hope for those who were infected by HIV/AIDS and such could also be applied to those who are down and trodden. "The Bible cites several promises of hope. They are comfort, change and the cross," said Notes. "When in deep pain, sometimes, death becomes a friend instead of a foe. The Bible tells that God loves us so much that whoever trusts in Him will not perish and will have everlasting life," he said.
He added that those who have died of AIDS are now in a better place, as promised by God. Such is the assurance of comfort. As for change, Notes cited a passage in the Book of Corinthians that tells "we will not die. For those who trust, change will be in the form of a new body, an imperishable one. So, take heart and take hope." As for the third, Notes cited that Jesus' death on the cross promises man eternal life. "Salvation is a gift from God. You will never perish but will have everlasting life," he said.
The call for continued hope was also emphasized by Don Bañares, a PLWH who contracted the virus from his wife, who got it from an infected blood during her work as a nurse in the United States. She passed away in 1998.
"I got involved (in the fight against HIV/AIDS) because of the stigma and discrimination. While in the hospital, it was a caregiver who disclosed my wife's condition to the media and we were treated like criminals. Anyway, after my wife died, I was sent for trainings on dealing with this disease," he narrated.
"We reach out to those who are infected to access free medicines and treatments. We also provide care and support, home visitations, counseling and alternative. We are continuing our advocacy to eliminate stigma and discrimination," he added.
Bañares said that with RAV, a vaccine, PLWHs are back to their normal lives and enjoying the company of their loved ones.
Also, at the commemoration, a manifesto among organizations and individuals was signed. The manifesto states, "We, the undersigned, representing our respective government and private organizations or our individual and personal capacities as concerned citizens with the commitment to be part of the concerted global and national effort to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly HIV and AIDS, and to mitigate the destructive effects of these, hereby declare our position and plan in relation to the development and institutionalization of mechanisms that can facilitate the local implementation of policies, programs and projects in Western Visayas, consistent with and supportive of the national and local efforts to control and manage the spread of STD in the Philippines."
In a press release published in TNT last May 20, HIV was referred to as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus that attacks the body's immune system and then causes AIDS. AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a fatal syndrome because the progressive damage to the body's immune system leaves people highly susceptible to contracting certain diseases.
Charity Perea, HIV/AIDS coordinator of the Department of Health 6 said that 19 PLWHs have died while the 36 others in Western Visayas are seeking medical assistance from the DOH and NGOs. Nationwide, there are 3,061 cases.