BAGUIO CITY – – The Health Department reiterates its advice to people engaging in risky sexual behavior to have themselves tested of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as infection cases in the country especially among the younger age bracket remains a concern.
In the January 2019 data of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau HIV/AIDS and ART (Anti – Retroviral Treatment) Registry of the Philippines, there are 1,249 new cases of HIV recorded which translates to 42 new HIV cases per day.
Of the new cases, 1,005 belong to the 15 – 34 years old bracket. Around 98 percent of the transmission is due to sexual contact.
In the Cordillera, Geeny Ann Austria of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, in a kapihan media forum, disclosed that since the start of monitoring in 2004, there are already 510 HIV cases recorded in the region.
The virus is already within our community. Aside from Baguio City and Benguet, cases are already recorded in the other provinces of Cordillera, Austria said.
There are 332 recorded cases from Baguio City, 57 from Abra, 14 from Apayao, 19 from Ifugao, 16 from Kalinga and 11 from Mountain Province. Majority of the cases are male with 496, and majority of the patients are in the 15 to 34 years old bracket with 377 cases, she said.
Dr. Maria Lorena Santos also reported that of the 578 Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) undergoing treatment at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center( BGHMC), majority are 18 to 35 years of age.
Santos stressed the importance of early detection and medication. Aside from preventing infection and of the HIV virus to become a full blown AIDS, PLHIV can live a normal life with anti – retroviral treatment.
She reiterated the health department’s advice to sexually active people, especially those engaging in risky sexual behaviors, to have themselves tested.
HIV testing is free at BGHMC, an HIV Treatment Hub in Northern Luzon. Those who will come for testing will be assured of full confidentiality, Santos added.
Meanwhile, DOH and its partners are inviting the public to support the observance of International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day this Sunday, May 19. This annual global observance aims to remember loved ones who have lost their lives to HIV; show solidarity with people living with HIV and raise awareness about HIV with this year’s theme, “Intensifying the fight for Health and Rights.” **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
