DOH eyeing new approach to HIV treatment for young patients

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is mulling a program that would allow minors with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to get treatment with a doctor or guardian’s consent.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa III on Wednesday said that the treatment for HIV, antiretroviral treatment (ARV), can only be administered by the government, and parental consent is needed.

“Iniisip ko ngayon we could have a program where we can allow the doctors or a guardian to allow the ARVs to be had. Kasi ang ARV natin sa gobyerno lang makukuha, through PhilHealth. You can’t buy it in the private sector,” said Herbosa in an ambush interview.

Herbosa said that there were concerns from youths who could not disclose their gender preferemce to their parents.

“You imagine our highest number of HIV are people with a certain gender choice,” said Herbosa.

“Masasabi ba nila tatay nila gender choice nila?  Nawawala sila. Tapos bumabalik sila, 18 years old, three years later with full-blown AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Full-blown AIDS,” he added.

(Would they be able to tell their fathers what their gender choice is? They disappear, and when they come back at 18 years old, three years later with full-blown aids.)

AIDS is a chronic illness that is caused by HIV. ARV would suppress the replication of HIV in the body.