City’s HIV cases up

CEBU, Philippines - This year, Cebu City has 188 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and one positive of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) compared to last year's 183 HIV cases and five AIDS positive according to City Health Officer Stella Ygoña.

Due to the gradual increase of the number of cases, the City Health Office (CHO) has widened its programs to prevent and control not only HIV and AIDS cases but also dealing with the prevention of mother to child transmission of sexually transmitted disease through screenings, seminars and trainings.

The programs were stemmed from the 2013-2016 Citywide Health Development Plan which is "Kalusugan Pangkalahatan" and basically eyeing to address the gaps and challenges on inequity in health.

CHO has been continuously disseminating information on how to control and prevent the diseases.

"Build rapport with them (victims) para they will not hide," said Ygoña.

CHO through its prevention and control program has been conducting a routine STI screening, treatment of walk-in applicants, STI/HIV education, counseling and testing to City Jail and barangays.

Also conducted are symposium to schools, communities and night establishments, outreach clinic for freelance social health workers, issuance of health cards to new registrants, training of peer educators and HIV advocates and 100 percent condom use program.

Aside from these, Ygoña said that 2, 464 pregnant mothers were screened for HIV;  2,488 for Hepatitis B and 2,488 for Syphilis but no confirmation yet of HIV positive among newborns.

Ygoña in a press briefing said that the health centers all over the city responded to the health needs of 14, 747 or 58 percent of all pregnant mothers in Cebu City.

She added that through the program, the 12, 044 or 47 percent of mothers became fully immunized. — (FREEMAN)