HIV advocate backs use of AHD for stigmatized AIDS
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is no longer the proper term to use for chronic conditions caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), after the World Health Organization decided to call it Advanced HIV Disease (AHD).
Anthony T. Torralba, regional program officer of SHIP-Protects Upscale, a civil society organization that partners with government agencies in the advocacy on HIV, expressed his approval of the use of AHD instead of AIDS during the Kapihan sa PIA at SM City Butuan on December 2.
According to experts, AIDS is loaded with stigma. The WHO, the United Nations agency that leads the global efforts to expand universal health coverage, together with HIV advocates, organizations, and specialists, expects that with sensitive and more friendly language, more people will bravely come out and avail themselves of the improved HIV services of the government and its partners.
“HIV itself does not kill. Opportunistic infections do,” Torralba said. “HIV is the virus, and AHD is the stage where a person living with HIV (PLHIV) develops severe opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia that are the real life-threatening conditions.”
He added that understanding HIV properly is key to protecting lives, especially the PLHIV and their families. “By addressing stigma, this strengthens awareness and encourages individuals to go for HIV testing without fear and take advantage of early treatment with resilience.”
Resource persons from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga, PhilHealth Caraga, and the Amuma Caraga, Inc., attended the Dec. 2 Kapihan sa PIA, and shared their efforts and inclusive services to strengthen the advocacy on HIV in the Caraga region.
Health literacy, they said, will empower communities to help prevent AHD and make it a manageable chronic health condition, enabling PLHIVs to live longer and have safe spaces in society. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)