DOH-7: 86 new HIV cases in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — At least 86 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were reported in Central Visayas in February, according to the recent data from the Department of Health.

Local health authorities have observed that the number of HIV infection has increased every month.

Francis Irvin Baring, program coordinator for the prevention and control of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), said that people usually misinterpret that the rising prevalence rate is due to the worsening state of transmission.

“But it’s not. More cases are reported to us because also of our strong surveillance coupled with our intensified education campaign urging people to get tested,” he told The FREEMAN.

Based from the registry of DOH's epidemiology bureau in February 2018, Central Visayas remains to be the third region with the most number of newly diagnosed cases. The region shares 10 percent (equivalent to 86 cases) of the 871 individuals, mostly male, in the country that were reported to test positive for HIV for the month.

He also attributed the rising number of cases to the easy access of the HIV testing here; the more people subject themselves voluntarily to the test, the more cases are recorded.

Local health personnel are encouraging people, especially those practicing risky behaviors like having multiple sexual partners, to get tested. Baring said services for HIV testing are offered for free.

These are available at the different treatment hubs (outpatient and inpatient care and treatment), primary care HIV facilities (outpatient only), or social hygiene clinics.

Treatment hubs can be found at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and Visayas Community Medical Center (VCMC) in Cebu City; Eversley Child Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City; and at the Talisay District Hospital.

While active social hygiene clinics and primary care HIV facilities are available at the health offices of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Danao, Toledo, City of Naga, and town of Consolacion, among others.

Baring said though people are more receptive to get tested, the challenge remains on the stigma of dealing with this disease and the discrimination of infected people.

He added that information campaigns in communities, schools and companies still continue to educate more people and to make them more aware of this infection. — FPL (FREEMAN)