CEBU, Philippines — A total of three deaths out of the 113 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been recorded in the first five months of this year in Cebu City.
Details of the patients who died and the rest remain confidential unless with consent from the patients, but most of the cases are through male-to-male sexual encounters and 10 percent of the total cases undergo hospitalization.
Unfortunately, there is also a newborn that got the virus but the most common age is 24 to 29 years old, the reproductive health group.
Cebu City Health Department’s chief epidemiologist, Dr. Ilya Tac-an, in an interview, said the CHD is offering HIV testing for those who want to get tested.
“HIV is preventable, not easy to get, pwede gyud malikayan. If dili malikayan, dapat mo-submit for testing. Gi-encourage gyud namo ang testing and when they are found positive, mo-start gyud siya for treatment. And not only for treatment but para mo prolong ilang quality of life. The City Health Office is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. Package ni siya ang test, not only for HIV but also for hepatitis and syphilis,” said Dr. Tac-an.
HIV medicines are also available at the CHD.
“Available gyud ang tambal. The City Health has available medicines for them. Once ipadayon gyud nila ang ilang treatment, the virus becomes undetectable na gyud..dili na sila maka-transmit,” stressed Dr. Tac-an.
“Prob sad nato, there are people once healthy na, moundang pud sa ilang medication..maong gi-encourage gyud namo nga religious gyud ang pag take lifelong and medication ani niya,” she added.
The CHD also has an outreach program for the barangays.
“City Health also had an outreach program for interested barangays to conduct testing didto sa ilaha. Pwede ra gyud mi moadto sa ilaha, magpada mig trained nga mga counsellors,” added Dr. Tac-an.
To prevent getting the dreaded illness, Dr. Tac-an gave simple yet effective advice, always follow the ABC including Abstinence, Be careful, Consistent and correct use of condoms, Don’t use drugs and Early detection. — Decemay P. Padilla, GMR (FREEMAN)