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Senator Hontiveros wants better HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment plan

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- As the number of cases of HIV and AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome) continue to rise, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a measure proposing a new treatment and prevention plan to address this problem.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, filed Senate Bill No. 376 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Bill to introduce an evidence-based, human rights-informed, and gender-transformative HIV prevention and treatment plan.

Her bill seeks to formulate a six-year National Multi-Sectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, which will incorporate a prevention program that will have a strong focus on education and accessibility of reproductive health services.

It also seeks a comprehensive, inclusive and localized response towards HIV-AIDS. If passed, it will repeal Republic Act 8504 or the Philippine HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.

In a press conference in Quezon City attended by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, Hontiveros said that from 6,015 total cases in 2010, HIV/AIDS incidence in the country rose to a total of 33,419 during just the first quarter of 2016.

She stressed that the quick rise in the last six years shows that HIV is expanding in urban centers of the country, affecting disproportionately marginalized and vulnerable sectors including young Filipinos, gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and drug users.

The neophyte senator meanwhile stressed that the importance of the foundation of curbing HIV being based on the protection of human rights.

She further said that new developments in prevention and treatment are available and must be maximized by the government.

“Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and saves lives. Prevention, early detection and treatment must be made available by the government”, Hontiveros explained. (PNA)
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