Purple Plum Fairy recently attended a
round-table discussion on HIV and AIDS held at the Manila Medical Center(ManilaMed) Hospital with no less than Dr. Rontegene Solante, Infectious Disease
Specialist. This initiative from ManilaMed is with regards to the 2016 National Study on the State of HIV Epidemic.
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| Dr. Solante with the members of the media and Purple Plum Fairy herself. |
As one of the country’s leading hospitals, ManilaMed is taking the
lead on the issue of urban health, seeing that there is a need to address it in
the midst of rapid urbanization and gentrification. I was surprised to find out
that HIV had not only become prevalent amongst adults but more so with the
youngsters. Yes, you’re reading these facts correctly. The youth aged 15-24
accounted for all new HIV diagnoses according to Dr. Solante based on a recent
study by the Department of Health.
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| Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Manila Medical Hospital (ManilaMed) |
According to Dr. Solante, most of those
new diagnoses amongst the youth (roughly about 81%) occurred among gay and
bisexual males. Most likely out of any age group will be linked to care and
have a suppressed viral load (that is, having a very low level of the virus in
the body, which helps the person stay healthy and greatly reduces the risk of
transmitting HIV to others). Addressing HIV in youth requires that we give
young people the information and tools they need to reduce their risk, make
healthy decisions, and get treatment and care if needed.
