With the rising number of HIV cases among teens in the country, NYC chair Aiza Seguerra wants minors as young as 15 to be tested for HIV even without their parents’ consent.
10 Filipinos aged 15-30 are infected by HIV daily
Seguerra shared government statistics that said 10 Filipinos aged 15-30 are infected by HIV on a daily basis.
She says, “The face of HIV [infection in the country] is the youth, We at the National Youth Commission believe that there is a need to disseminate the correct information about HIV. Let’s admit that we have different views about HIV and that most of the time, we avoid people who are HIV-positive.”
Under current law, people under 18 will need to secure permission from their parents before they can get tested for HIV.
It’s difficult to tell your parents that you’re sexually active
Seguerra shares, “It’s already difficult asking permission from our parents to have a night out. What more if you tell your parents, ‘I’m sexually active. I might have HIV. Please go with me.’ So it’s very hard. That’s why we’re pushing to lower down the age of testing and the delivery of RH (reproductive health) services.”
She shares that she will be actively campaigning to wipe out the stigma associated with HIV with the help of the youth, parents, educators, people with HIV, and celebrities.
She adds, “Libre po ang gamot sa HIV. Ika nga ay manageable na ito. Pero bakit ang dami pa ring namamatay? Bakit ang dami pa ring nai-infect? So i think ang pinakaproblema dito ay it’s not actually the HIV that kills people. It’s actually the stigma.”
Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net, cnnphilippines.com
READ: DOH recorded 750 new HIV cases last December, including 3 pregnant women
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