DAVAO
DEL NORTE, December 15 (PIA) - - “In Tagum City alone, last year it was 38. At
the beginning of this year, it was at 41. One month ago, it was 42; and now, we
have 47 cases of HIV/AIDS (Human Immune Virus / Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome).”
Dr.
Arnel Florendo, city health officer of Tagum City, highlighted in the recent
Kapihan sa Kapitolyo that the HIV/AIDS is spreading fast in the province.
“Theoritically,
a study said that one HIV positive individual can infect at least 10 persons,”
Dr. Florendo said.
In
Davao del Norte, the total HIV/AIDS cases since 1984 numbered to a total of 102
according to the data from the National Epidemiology Center.
Dr.
Erma Balani, HIV/AIDS program incharge of the Provincial Health Office, said
that for this year there are 5 new cases in Tagum, 6 in Panabo and 7 in Sto.
Tomas.
Dr.
Florendo said that these data only showed those who voluntarily submitted
themselves to screening.
“There
are still others out there who did not undergo screening because they are
afraid that the society will discriminate them,” he said.
Florendo
added that nobody can be compelled to undergo the testing against their will
even those girls or boys for hire as stated in Republic Act 8504 or the
Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act.
He
added that HIV can be hardly detected by anyone since there are no symptoms
leading to it and there is a window period before its detection.
“The
window period is from three weeks to six months, in which the HIV cannot be
detected; however, person with HIV during those period can infect other
persons,” he said.
Florendo
said that the society should not treat HIV positive individuals as a spoil to
the community because they are also victims.
“They
need our support because in a way they are also victims and nobody won’t be
infected it there is no transfusion with them through blood, semen, cervical
vaginal discharges and breast milk,” he said.
Dr.
Florendo advised that in order to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, they should
follow the ABCDE of HIV/AIDS prevention – Abstinence, Be mutually monogamous,
Correct use of condoms, Do not use injectibles, and Education.
He
also encouraged those who have problems with their reproductive systems or
those who think might have gotten in contact with HIV positive person to go to
testing centers
As
of now, he said that only the Tagum City Health Office and the Davao Regional
Hospital in Tagum has the facility that is authorize to conduct the testing.
“I
will assure you that your identity will be kept secret,” Dr. Florendo said.
(PIA 11, Michael Uy)
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