HIV cases worries Labella, City to educate people

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella wants that a massive education campaign conducted to educate the people, especially the youth, on the consequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

In Central Visayas, Cebu City has the most number of HIV cases with 3,898 cases out of the 5,982 cases in the entire province of Cebu.

The number of existing HIV cases has concerned the mayor, saying they will be conducting serious studies to be able to help educate and spread awareness to the public.

“First, of course, we have to have a massive education on the effects of HIV, we have to let the people be aware, labi na sa atong kabatan-on,” said Labella.

According to the City Health Department most of the recent cases recorded are from the age brackets 15 to 25 years old.

Labella said the youth should be educated on the consequences of indiscriminate and dangerous sexual activities that may cause the spread of HIV.

“But I think most of the HIV patients didn’t contract it from the sexual activities, it’s the use of needles, we go back to drug addiction,” said Labella.

Aside from contracting HIV through sexual intercourse, humans can get it also from blood transmission such as sharing of needles which is used by some with prohibited drugs.

“That’s why we have to be relentless with our fight against illegal drugs,” said Labella.

Awareness campaigns are conducted by the City Health in barangays to educate the people on HIV. /GAN (FREEMAN)