Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Mandatory Aids check up stirs debate By Edmund B. Sestoso
THE move of the Dumaguete City council members to get a mandatory medical check up in highly risk areas and establishments in lieu of the campaign to prevent the spread of the dreaded Aids had sparked a debate among the local legislators.
Earlier, Councilor Noel De Jesus who is a doctor by profession has authored a proposed ordinance creating the Dumaguete City Multi-Sectoral STI/HIV Council for the Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
During the council's recent session, some resource persons and experts were invited to shed light on the constitutionality of some of the provisions especially those mandating compulsory weekly medical check ups, and mandatory education on STDs and HIV/Aids, among others.
Gladys Malayang, one of those invited, had defended the provisions, saying that the move is constitutional and it has not violated human rights as it also enhances human dignity.
Malayang is the executive director of Health and Development Initiatives Institute and at the same time coordinator of STI/HIV council of Silliman University.
She explained that medical check up could be mandated in what she calls as "high risk" groups like entertainment establishments, massage parlors, and barbershops.
However, Councilor Alan Cordova sees otherwise.
Cordova pointed out that while the intentions of the provisions sounds good, it might be discriminatory and in effect violates the rights of individuals to choose whether to undergo or not on mandatory medical check up.
He said as to the so-called "high risk groups," it created an impression on suspected groups as if they are the only ones who are carriers of the dreaded disease.
The issue has also created a stir among sex workers.
A sex worker, whose name is being withheld, is brave enough to face the members of the local legislative body and ask for support in terms of regular and hygiene check up.
The girl claims to be a member of a group called Magdalena, an organized group of sex workers in Dumaguete City.
She said the government seems to ignore them on the basic health services when they too should be included.
She hopes that the proposed ordinance incorporates services for women like her.
