TACLOBAN
CITY, Nov. 22 (PNA) -– Local authorities here recorded six new cases of Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and four new cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS) in this city this year, bringing the total to 59 since the
government started the monitoring of these sexually-transmitted diseases.
The city
population office said the regional capital has the most number of cases in
Eastern Visayas since they started counting in 1985 until August this year.
“The sudden
rise is alarming, but I believe these are not new cases. Public awareness is
the reason why many voluntarily submit themselves to testing,” said city
population office chief Ceilito Esquibel.
Male-to-male
sexual encounter is the main culprit to the spread of this virus, followed by
male-to-female sexual contacts, and injectable drugs.
The
population office encouraged the public to get tested if they suspect
themselves to have acquired the virus since early detection can help normalize
the life of an HIV carrier.
“I assure
everyone that the tests and results are confidential,” said Ronan Joseph Lim, a
city population program worker.
There are
HIV antibody testing facilities at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center
and some private hospitals.
Earlier, the
city government launched an HIV stigma reduction project to address the growing
number of HIV cases in the city.
“There is no
known cure for the said virus, the best thing that we can do is to educate our
people specially the adolescents for most cases come from them,” Lim added.
The office
advocates abstinence, monogamy, recreational activity and proper education as
measures to HIV-AIDS prevention. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/Jushua S. Marga (OJT)
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