DOH launching stronger campaign against AIDS

CEBU, Philippines - The Department on Health will be launching a stronger campaign strategy against the HIV/AIDS.

DOH Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said that based on their latest survey, the number of AIDS cases has been doubled for the last two years.

But the number is still considered low since those affected only comprised less than one percent of the country’s total population.

Under its vigorous education campaign, the department will be shifting into a more convincing action, which Ubial termed as some sort of a “fear advocacy.”

The advocacy would be similar to the “Iwas Paputok” and anti-dengue campaigns, which have actual pictures and videos of firecracker victims and dengue patients.

“Ipinapakita namin talaga yung mga naputolan ng kamay, legs dahil sa paputok or yung dengue (fever) patients with critical conditions. After that talagang bumaba yung cases because of the “fear campaign,” Ubail explained.

The DOH believes that the “fear advocacy” against AIDS/ HIV is more effective with the Filipino audience.

On the issue of Reproductive Health Bill in connection with their advocacy plan, Ubial said “in our HIV fear campaign, what we are stepping up is the education on safe sex and that includes with the use of condoms.”

Last January, the Philippine General Hospital said that the number of Filipinos with HIV cases rose dramatically in the past 10 months. Majority of the victims are young urban professionals such as call center agents.

Records from the DOH revealed that the number of HIV cases in the hospital rose to 709 last year from 528 in 2008. Last November alone, 80 HIV cases were recorded. — Antoniette T. Parce/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)