Negros Or joins drive to cut HIV/AIDS cases

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Support the global campaign for the elimination or 50 percent reduction of cases of HIV/AIDS or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

This was the call of sector representatives and health authorities in Negros Oriental and this city on Friday during the culmination program in the observance of World AIDS Day at the city's Quezon Park with a parade around the city.

Cristy Dagle, provincial coordinator of STIs and HIV/AIDS of the Integrated Provincial Health Office, said there is now a massive campaign for reducing by 50 percent the transmission of the HIV by 2015.

People coming down with STI and not treated for the infection are at high risk of HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus), which will later on become full blown AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), leading to death.

IPHO head Ma. Sarah Talla, for her part, explained that local efforts are aimed at prevention and control of the spread of  STIs and HIV/AIDS by extensive information dissemination, particularly on the "ABCDE" objectives.

The ABCDE acronym stands for abstinence, be faithful (having a mutual monogamous relationship), careful sex, don't use drugs/don't share needles/sterilized needles and education and information, said Talla.

Dagle also noted the rising cases of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines since the first case was diagnosed in 1984. Statistics show that, from 1984 to October 2013, a total of 15,774 cases were reported in the country.

From January to October this year, a total of  4,172 HIV-positive cases were recorded in the Philippines, 491 of these in the month of October alone.

Recorded AIDS cases in the Philippines from 1984 to October 2013 have reached 1,441, with 272 of these from January to October this year, Dagle said.

For October 2013 alone, 28 AIDS cases were recorded by health authorities. In Central Visayas, a total of 1,172 HIV cases and 172 AIDS cases have been recorded since 1984 to October this year. Of the 172 AIDS cases in the Central Visayas region, 163 of these involved males, Dagle said.

Negros Oriental, meanwhile, has recorded two HIV-positive cases from 2007 to present, five of whom with AIDS having already passed away, she told The Freeman.  (FREEMAN)