DOH floods MM with condoms to fight HIV

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday started distributing condoms in entertainment hubs in Quezon City in an effort to curb the rising incidence of HIV infections in the country.

“We will be flooding Metro Manila with condoms if it is the only way we can prevent the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. It is a critical and the only effective element in the prevention and control of the disease and available tool in reducing the transmission of sexual infections and diseases,” Health Undersecretary Ted Herbosa explained.

Herbosa said the DOH partnered with the Quezon City government and various commercial establishments in mounting a campaign for an HIV-free city.

In line with the campaign, each establishment will be given a box of free condoms and flyers containing essential information about HIV/AIDS. Customers can get from the box, which will be strategically placed at the entrance or front desk. 

He said the DOH launched the campaign in Quezon City because it has the most number of AIDS patients and asymptomatic cases, but a similar information drive will be implemented in other areas in Metro Manila.

Based on DOH data, one Filipino becomes infected with HIV every two hours – a total of 13 new cases daily, with the National Capital Region accounting for 50 percent of the total HIV cases in the country.