CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) – Despite the pandemic brought by COVID-19, cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are still increasing in the region.
“It is dangerous to assume that because of COVID-19 we have no longer cases in HIV-AIDS. In fact, our cases still continue to rise and we have new cases despite the pandemic,” Regional Director Adriano P. Suba-an of the Department of Health (DOH)-10 said.
The DOH has reported that from January to September this year, the country recorded 1,670 HIV/AIDS cases. It is about 21 new cases per day despite the pandemic, according to Raffy Ardemil, DOH-10's Infectious Diseases Cluster Community HIV Outreach Worker during the recently held Talakayan sa PIA which tackled HIV/AIDS as part of the celebration of HIV/AIDS Commemoration Month and HIV/AIDS Day.
Records show that one of the major contributors to HIV/AIDS in the region is the men having sex with men aside from having unsafe sex. Alarmingly the age range of persons afflicted with this disease is as young as 15 years old and as old as 49 years old.
Though the HIV/AIDS cases are decreasing each day from 31-32 cases per day last year to 21 cases per day this year, the region must continue to be careful. Aside from that, this year shows a low record of HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral in that only 1,114 out of 1,670 undergo such medication.
The department encourages those with "risky behavior" to be tested for HIV/AIDS at the City Health Office (CHO), which open Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m.
“Do not go into self-medication such as drinking body soap or boiling coconuts. Allow yourselves to be tested properly. We can assure you that your record is 100 percent confidential,” Ardemil appealed. (JAKAraña/PIA10)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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