8 die from AIDS in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – Eight persons died from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in South Cotabato this year.

John Cudilla, provincial officer on matters related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, said two of the fatalities died recently after they stopped taking antiretroviral drugs provided for free by the government and developed full-blown AIDS.

Cudilla said the drugs help extend the lives of HIV and AIDS patients.

He urged people with several sex partners to take an HIV test at any government AIDS-HIV centers or at the South Cotabato provincial hospital.

He assured them the test is free of charge and results are confidential.

The official said of the 2,000 people who underwent HIV tests from January to August this year, more than a hundred turned out positive.