Sexually-active Pinoy seamen urged to take HIV testing
Seafarers urged: Avoid paid sex overseas . Aspiring seafarers flock to the maritime placement center at T.M. Kalaw in Manila on Monday. Health officials have warned seafarers to avoid commercial sex abroad so as not to contract and bring home sexually-transmitted diseases. Danny Pata
A party-list congressman urged Filipino sailors with sexually active lifestyles abroad to have themselves tested for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for the safety of their partners at home.
In a news release, Rep. Arnel Ty said, “It is not exactly a secret that many sailors are exceptionally vulnerable to HIV, owing to their easy access to commercial sex services overseas, plus they have the money to pay for it.”
“We have reason to believe many of these HIV-positive OFWs may be sailors,” he said.
Ty pointed out that paid sex workers routinely board visiting ships in foreign ports.
Ty noted that sailors do not undergo any medical examination every time they are deployed abroad, especially if they work for a single employer or shipping firm.
As of May 30, Ty said 1,921 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been diagnosed as HIV-positive.
They account for 20 percent of the 9,669 cases in the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry.
Of the 1,921 HIV-positive OFWs, he said 97 percent (1,859 cases) were infected due to sexual contact, and 85 percent (1,631 cases) were asymptomatic or did not show any symptoms of infection.
Ty represents the LPG Marketers’ Association (LPG-MA). He is one of the authors of House Bill 5312, which seeks P400 million to jumpstart a new HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Plan.
In a news release, Rep. Arnel Ty said, “It is not exactly a secret that many sailors are exceptionally vulnerable to HIV, owing to their easy access to commercial sex services overseas, plus they have the money to pay for it.”
“We have reason to believe many of these HIV-positive OFWs may be sailors,” he said.
Ty pointed out that paid sex workers routinely board visiting ships in foreign ports.
Ty noted that sailors do not undergo any medical examination every time they are deployed abroad, especially if they work for a single employer or shipping firm.
“As a precaution, we would encourage these sexually active sailors to voluntarily undergo HIV-testing every time they come home, for the sake of their partners here. Also, the earlier they get diagnosed, the sooner they can seek treatment,” he said.
They usually get tested only once, shortly before they are initially recruited by the employer. After that, the sailors go abroad for a few months, come home for a furlough, and then go back to work without any subsequent health checks,” he said.
They usually get tested only once, shortly before they are initially recruited by the employer. After that, the sailors go abroad for a few months, come home for a furlough, and then go back to work without any subsequent health checks,” he said.
More than 350,000 Filipino sailors serve on board foreign ocean-going vessels at any given time.
They account for 20 percent of the 9,669 cases in the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry.
Ty said 77 percent of the HIV-positive OFWs, or 1,488 cases, were males with the median age of 35 years.
Of the 1,921 HIV-positive OFWs, he said 97 percent (1,859 cases) were infected due to sexual contact, and 85 percent (1,631 cases) were asymptomatic or did not show any symptoms of infection.
HIV causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The disease that destroys the human body’s immune system does not have any known cure. However, early detection and treatment can slow down the ailment. - VVP, GMA News
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