Philippine Community Herald Online Edition May 2021

VOLUME 27 NO . 5 MAY 2021 PRINT POST APPROVED PP100001976 DISTRIBUTED AUSTRALIA WIDE NSW $ 1.50 ; INTERSTATE $ 2.00
HIV-AIDS IN PH AS ALARMING as COVID-19

HIV EPIDEMIC NOW FASTEST RISING IN THE WORLD

MABUHAY !

Condensed by Mars Cavestany based on the Reports by Red Mendoza of The Manila Times
The Philippines is experiencing a “ new wave ” in the number of HIV-AIDS ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ) cases and deaths , prompting the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV-AIDS ( UNAIDS ) to hold a virtual mission with key stakeholders .
According to Paula Munderi , UNAIDS HIV Prevention team leader , the Philippines has the fastest-rising growing HIV epidemic in the world and the fastest in the Asia-Pacific region . “ The alarming rate of 237 percent between 2019 and 2020 has been concentrated mainly
among key populations , particularly young gay men and transgender women in urban centers in the Philippines ,” Munderi said in an interview on CNN Philippines .
Munderi added that
AIDS-related deaths have also increased by 450 percent despite the availability of life-saving treatment in 160 facilities across the country .
She said that one of the main factors of the increase in the number of cases was that the Philippines “ took the eye off the ball ” and stopped concentrating on prevention . UNAIDS MISSION IN PH
The alarming rise in
AIDS cases was one of the reasons why UN- AIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima held a virtual mission with key health stakeholders and communities , Munderi said .
Byanyima discussed with stakeholders from the government , private sector and civil society groups , including Sen . Ana Theresia Hontiveros and Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd , the country ’ s HIV response strategy in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic . Munderi said the mission virtually visited an HIV community clinic in Iloilo City to get acquainted with community leaders at the frontline of the HIV
response . “ The good news that we learned on this mission
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HUMAN INTEREST STORY ( 3 )

Filipina Leaders and Women Libbers React

RE . CASE OF Fil- OZ ’ BOSS ’ ACCUSED OF ABUSING and HOARDING HER PINAY ‘ MAID ’
REACTIONS SOLICITED BY MARS CAVESTANY & EVELYN ZARAGOZA
Last April issue , we headlined the now alltoo-familiar case of a Filipina-Australian owner-proprietor of a string of “ Kapamilya ” grocery -cum-eatery in Sydney who faces a 10-year imprisonment along with her Australian husband apart from paying AUD 70 thousand compensation to the Filipina maid she brought from Manila and subjected to forced labour , cruelty , and ex- ploitation including nonpayment of promised salary .
Needless to say , it doesn ’ t end there . PCHN merely picked up and condensed various shattering news that put the Philippines in a negative global spotlight . and scrutiny anew . My related Editorial underscored and refocused the underlying issues with a call to action whilst the long news coverage included historical perspectives to remind us all that this malady remains and continues to this very day
There seems to be no sense of urgency . No accountability , no more caveats or warning ( BA- BALA ) to raise the alarm bells to and for our newly arrived kababayans let alone a public outcry enough to impact the authorities to re-visit and re-open similar
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