DOH-W. Visayas records: 60 die of AIDS; 254 have HIVs

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A total of 60 deaths were recorded by the Department of Health in Western Visayas due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) from 1994 to the present, while a total of 254 are now living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) here in the region.

DOH-6’s Center for Health Development coordinator for sexually-transmitted infections (STI) Charity Perea said the recorded deaths were people who sought help from the agency very late already.

Most of the fatalities were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were infected due to unprotected sex with multi-partners, said Perea in a press conference at the Iloilo Capitol building in commemoration of the 30th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial last week.

“That’s why we encourage other HIV-infected people to come out into the open so that they could be given hope or anti-retro viral drugs (ARVs) to help them reduce illnesses, prolong their lives and improve their quality of life,” she said.

Perea said available drugs are being giving for free for as long as the patients could submit themselves for medication and counseling in two treatment hubs either at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City or the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City.

This situation has encouraged 254 persons living with HIV (PL-HIVs) to come out into the open and live life normally, and they are now under monitoring by DOH-6’s STI center.

Perea said 87 of these persons are OFWs: 50 of them were seafarers, eight were domestic helpers, 19 land-based contract workers, two paramedical workers, seven skilled laborers and one entertainer.

A total of 167 PL-HIVs were infected locally by their partners or by accident. Eight of them are waiters; 18 are housewives, 17 are nurses; 11 are call center agents; seven students; seven businessmen; six teachers; four tourist guides; three medical technicians, two x-ray technicians; and one lawyer.

Other victims on record were: office employees (12); self-employed persons (nine); hair stylists (six); medical representatives (five); drivers (four); local entertainers, freelance CSW, fashion designers, florists and dance instructors (three each); engineers, sales clerks, nautical graduates, security guards, event organizers and hotel employees (two each); and social worker, policeman, media man, IT worker, fast food manager, grocery bagger, salesman, gasoline boy, machine operator, accountant and service crew (one each).

Perea advised the public to practice “ABCDE” to avoid being infected by HIV. The “ABCDE” is an acronym which stands for absenteeism, be faithful, correct or consistent condom use, don’t use drugs and early detection or treatment.

AIDS is caused by HIV, a virus that attacks and weakens the body’s immune system, she added. (FREEMAN)