Beyond COVID-19, HIV and other Illnesses Deserve Attention Too

The COVID-19 pandemic’s wide-reaching and extraordinary effects particularly to public health and the medical field has, unfortunately, created other grave consequences that have come unnoticed. As focus, as of late, has been on the novel coronavirus, attention on other equally critical illnesses and diseases has seemingly taken a back seat.

Among these illnesses, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies Tuberculosis or TB, Malaria, and HIV as the among the most serious. In fact, the WHO notes, TB claims 1.5 million lives a year, while NGO Frontline AID states that 38 million people live with HIV worldwide. Of this, 12.6 million or 33% have been unable to access HIV treatments during the pandemic induced lockdowns.

The impact of COVID-19 on HIV programs and patients

A report from UNAIDS reveals that one in four people living with HIV have reported problems with gaining access to important medications. Similarly, HIV programs are among those that have had disruptions in services, with up to 85% of existing programs affected based on a survey by The Global Fund, a partnership that mobilizes and invests funds to support programs towards AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Of even greater concern, Frontline AIDS further observes, is how the coronavirus, alongside HIV and AIDS, has a greater impact on people who are already marginalized. Specifically, it is those most affected by HIV who will feel the brunt of the effects of the coronavirus, especially with how lockdowns and quarantines have made access to much-needed antiretroviral medicines, not to mention visits to hospitals and health centers, extremely difficult.

The importance of HIV protection and prevention

In light of the above situation, and in view of recent data from the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau that shows 2,818 newly-confirmed HIV-positive individuals from January to March of this year, protection from HIV is truly the best way forward.

Actively doing its part in informing the public on the importance of protection, preparedness and education regarding HIV is Durex. Through its latest multimedia Protection & Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign—featuring vlog collaborations, online university talks, and e-learning videos—Durex wants the public to be properly informed and kept safe from HIV during this pandemic. The public is also enjoined to visit Durex Philippines’ official Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, where they can be kept up-to-date and informed.

And since no one is invulnerable to catching HIV in these times, being prepared in encounters – to always come prepared – is a must. And clearly, as we all do our share in preventing the spread of COVID-19, we must also be responsible in protecting ourselves and others from catching HIV.

Make your Partner Feel Protected this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has always been about spending that singular day once a year with your special someone—going out on an unforgettable date, buying each other gifts, or spending intimate moments together.

While these traditional ways of celebrating will always be there, no doubt one of the best ways to express your love is to really make your partner feel safe and protected—more so by using proper protection such as condoms.

Together with preventing unwanted pregnancies with a 98% effectivity rate, condoms, when properly used during sexual intercourse, has been proven to be one of the best ways to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Figures from the Commission on Population (POPCOM) shows how more adolescents engage in premarital sex, with 500 teenage girls giving birth every day. Similarly, HIV cases are on the rise in the country, with UNAIDS reporting that the number of new infections in the Philippines has more than doubled, something not to be taken lightly.

With all of these, having a condom at the ready simply shows your partner how much you really care this Valentine’s Day, which incidentally is also National Condom Day. It’s a reflection of how you both have your health and wellness in mind, and is as well a sign of deep respect and, ultimately, love and affection. And buying condoms need not to be an embarrassing experience anymore.

Thankfully, brands such as Durex make condoms accessible sans the awkwardness associated with purchasing them. Aside from making them available in retail outlets such as pharmacies, groceries and convenience stores, Durex condoms can now also be bought through online through sites like Lazada, with the available option of ‘privacy guaranteed packaging’ wherein condoms can be packed in ‘discreet books’ that really do look like an honest-to-goodness book on the outside.

So this Valentine’s season, express your love in the most meaningful of ways, show how much your partner means to you, and always come protected.

DJs Slick Rick, Tony Toni, and Sam YG Talk Sex Among Young Adults

They are known for casually making green jokes and getting away with the most exciting (and sometimes erotic) discussions “on air”, to the delight of their amused fans and listeners, especially those caught in early evening traffic or stuck in offices with OT work.

The trio of radio disc jockeys Slick Rick (Eric Virata), Tony Toni (Tony Bueno) and Sam YG (Sam Gogna) have made Magic 89.9’s Boys Night Out (BNO) a legendary radio talk show in the early evening time slot, especially with their crazy antics, uniquely challenging games with celebrity guests, and the most candid opinions about love, sex and anything in between.

So, it was no surprise that the “bad boys of radio” have actively taken on an advocacy that is within their “area of expertise”, yet one that tackles an issue brought about by unprotected sex—HIV infection.

As advocates of Durex Philippines’ “Always Come Prepared”, a campaign geared towards raising awareness on human immunodeficiency virus infection, especially among young adults, the trio have gone out of their way to engage their listeners about the dangers of the virus and what infected people can do to get treatment.

“The HIV/AIDS infection is a global health problem that started decades ago. Yet today, its prevalence is still growing and now affects young Filipino adults. This is what convinced us to help out, especially since we realized the potential impact of us talking to our listeners and fans about this concern,” said Tony Toni.

Latest figures from the HIV/AIDS & Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Registry Data indicate that 31 new HIV infections are diagnosed daily and 1 of every 3 new cases are from 15 to 24-year-old individuals.

Aside from raising awareness about HIV in their radio show, the Boys Night Out trio also visited the Far Eastern University and Lyceum of the Philippines University and partnered with the FEU Central Student Organization and the LPU Manila Central Student Government for a sex education and HIV awareness talk among thousands of students. Known for their antics, the Boys Night Out trio and Durex share the same advocacy to remove the taboo on conversations about sex and HIV to raise awareness about the issue and potentially save lives.