33 residents infected with HIV • Governor exhorts community to fight spread of AIDS

The Northern Marianas will join with the rest of the nation and other countries around the world in marking December 1 as World AIDS Day in hopes to raise awareness among the peoples and combat spread of the dreaded disease.

In a proclamation signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday, the CNMI made a commitment to involve island residents in activities designed to increase awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS as a global challenge as well as to encourage participation in worldwide efforts to stem alarming increase in the number of people infected by the virus.

The chief executive told public health officials and volunteers who attended the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office to continue these local initiatives to educate the community, particularly the young people, on the risks of being exposed to the virus.

“I’m pleased to see our people now becoming health conscious. People are now beginning to change their attitude,” Mr. Tenorio said.

United Nations estimate that 33.4 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS, with half of them under the age of 25 accounting for new infections.

So far, thirty-three residents have been infected with the HIV — the virus that causes AIDS — and some of them have developed symptoms of full-blown AIDS, according to Public Health Sec. Joseph Kevin Villagomez. At least 300 cases are believed to be undetected.

Most of these persons with AIDS or PWA are locals who got infected in the mainland and decided to return to the island. Some are of different nationalities but married to Americans. Nonresidents who are found HIV-positive are immediately deported.

Mr. Villagomez said the Commonwealth Health Center is still taking care of the HIV-positive baby that was transmitted by the mother. The case was discovered last year after the parents tested positive for the virus.

“They’re all getting treatment for free at the DPH on a regular basis. They’re doing well,” the top health official told reporters in an interview after the brief ceremony.

Costly

While Medicare shoulders part of the costs, Mr. Villagomez pointed out that about $1,000 dollars per patient per month is spent for medication, excluding expenses when a PWA is suffering from medical complication as a result of the disease.

“It’s quite high and that’s one of the reasons why it’s important to stress on prevention,” he said, noting that people who are in the high risk category must get tested as early as possible to immediately detect an infection.

“It’s a disease that can still prolong life but if we wait until it manifests itself and becomes more advanced, it is much more difficult and definitely much more costly,” added Mr. Villagomez.

Although several famous people have come out in the open about their health conditions, it is unlikely that AIDS will have a face in the CNMI owing to the size of the community.

The health secretary underscored, however, the cooperation and contributions extended by PWAs on the island to the government in its campaign over the past few years. Some are even active in the National AIDS committee and other programs.

“[They remain] anonymous because the stigma is still there and we definitely don’t want to put anybody at risk,” he explained, saying that as a small community, PWAs are facing ostracism. “It’s not fair for them,” added Mr. Villagomez.

Organizers for this year’s World AIDS Day began their campaign on Nov. 8 with activities on the school level. Major events are scheduled until Dec. 29.

This Saturday, a walkathon will be held beginning six in the morning, while on Dec. 1 a media roadblock, messages, ringing of the Cathedral bell and release of 300 red balloons will be conducted simultaneously.