More AIDS cases resulting from risky sexual behaviour in the Philippines

Of the 32 new cases, nine (or 28 per cent) involved overseas Filipino workers, eight males aged from 29 to 47 years old. All infections were reportedly through sexual contact.

It is important to fight the spread of the disease through an information campaign in schools, communities and hospitals and immediate intervention whenever cases are detected.

Under the AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1988, people living with HIV are required not to engage in risky sexual behaviour.

The law also provides for human immunodeficiency virus testing of pregnant women and their newly born infants to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Filipino Catholic Church has always been active in providing treatment and solidarity to the sick, but especially in implementing educational and prevention campaigns and policies to stop the infection.

Last July 11 the country’s bishops in partnership with the United Nations published a two-volume Training Manual on HIV and AIDS for Catholic Church pastoral workers.

The manual includes an instructional guide and a resource book which explain how to treat the sick. It also provides statistical information on the virus’ impact worldwide.

The 17th Biennial International Conference on AIDS is currently underway in Mexico City. Scheduled to run from August 3 to 8, ‘AIDS 2008’ has brought together more than 20,000 participants from a variety of humanitarian agencies and organisations as well as government officials and political leaders.

Fund raising for further research, improving the delivery of HIV prevention and treatment, support for government policies in the fight against AIDS and greater awareness raising among the young are among the conference’s declared goals.