Needle use blamed for rise in HIV cases

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial has confirmed that rising Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in Cebu is due to transmissions among drug users using injections.

This, she said, is a crucial public health concern challenging health authorities in Central Visayas region amid DOH’s intensified campaign to end or at least reduce HIV cases.

“One particular feature (in the increase of HIV cases) here in Cebu is the injecting drug users.  Iyan ang isang challenge na nakita natin na mataas dito sa Central Visayas,” she told reporters at the sidelines of a gathering held at the Capitol.

Her visit in Cebu City yesterday marked the early observance of International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, which carries a message for collaboration from various sectors to “reverse HIV and AIDS epidemic.”

HIV is defined by DOH as a virus that attacks the body’s immune system then causes AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of infection.

She said that outside Central Visayas, most HIV transmissions (80 percent) are due to “men having sex with men” or those engaging in “anal sex.”

HIV cases in Central Visayas represents eight percent (200 cases) of the total (7,000 cases) in all 18 regions in the country, making it the fourth region with the most number of cases after the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

From 1984 up to the present, 3,383 HIV cases have been recorded in Cebu out of the total number of 3,521 cases in the region.

Ubial urged people who are practicing risky sex to avail of free HIV testing in social hygiene clinics or DOH-retained hospitals, assuring the confidentiality of those who seek the service.

“Ang maganda ngayon ay lahat ng resources na kailangan natin para talagang masugpo itong HIV and AIDS epidemic ay nasa atin na. Lahat ng testing libre na. Lahat ng condoms or methods to prevent HIV libre rin and lahat ng gamot for those who have HIV-AIDS ay libre,” she said.

In her speech before DOH officials and employees, yesterday, Ubial challenged Cebuanos to be part of their campaign to mitigate the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in the country.

She said HIV in Cebu has a 40 percent higher positivity rate among those who inject drugs.

"Now, we have about four pregnant women registering HIV positive every month," she said.

Amid all of these, Ubial saw the need for the whole community, including the common people, to participate in the campaign and encourage everyone to be tested and to seek treatment.

Yesterday’s activity was part of the campaign, She said that while it was simple, it was gathering, which was to manifest support in breaking the social stigma attached to HIV, to end  the ignorance and lack of information, and  to commemorate the untimely deaths of those people living with HIV.

“I hope that this Candle Lighting Memorial will be the start of hope for our people living with HIV/AIDS and the call to the general population to move forward,” she said. — May B. Miasco, Larry V. Villarin (FREEMAN)