A total of 5,537 overseas Filipino workers have tested positive for HIV or had full-blown AIDS since 1984, according to the Department of Health’s National HIV/AIDS Registry, prompting calls for the government to step up awareness and prevention campaigns.
Aniceto Bertiz, a member of the House of Representatives, added that 140 OFWs had become infected in January and February this year.
Department of Health figures show that OFWs accounted for 11% of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines in the past 34 years, GMA News reported; 4,763, or 86% of the total, were male.
“This is very unfortunate, because if we look at the median age of these OFWs — at 32 to 34 years old — they are actually at the top of their lives in terms of potential workforce productivity,” Bertiz said.
So far 2,511 deaths have been reported from AIDs, but figures for mortality rates are incomplete. In 2017 an average of 41 Filipinos (not necessarily OFWs) died monthly from HIV/AIDS.
Bertiz said OFWs were more vulnerable to HIV infections because they were exposed to new cultures that encouraged casual sex.
“Almost all of the OFWs in the registry acquired the infection via sexual contact,” the legislator said.
He urged the Department of Labor and Employment to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS risks to prevent other migrant workers being exposed and to reduce the number of infections.
“Awareness and prevention are our best tools against infection.”
your truthly correct sir. im ofw worker every six months we have the medical check up that compulsory by the goverment of singapore. they must educated those others to use the protection to prevent from HIV.
"Bertiz said OFWs were more vulnerable to HIV infections because they were exposed to new cultures that encouraged casual sex."
I’m not putting down anyone here but I feel he’s out of touch of what’s going on as seriously, if I want to have sex with a girl in Philipines whenever I go there, it’s not difficult (short of saying sure to get).
Bertie should have an in-depth study into this. Even as layman, you would know that generally, OFW engaging in sex overseas comes in 2 forms. They are either in a relationship or through illegal commercial sex.
I’m sure that if these OFW where most of them are males, were interviewed properly and truthfully, you will find that most of them were infected because they engaged in commercial sex and illegal sex workers do not have medical checks and control measures.
And as for the females, I’m also sure that most of those affected are working in the bars, nightclubs, etc. You won’t find many from the domestic housemaids, and other proper & decent jobs.
My opinion only.