Alarm sounded over HIV cases in Central Visayas

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CEBU CITY – Central Visayas has the third highest number of Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) infection cases among all the regions in the country with 4,251 and 295 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases from January 1984 to December 2017, according to the data from the Department of Health – Central Visayas.

Some 3,973 HIV and 253 AIDS cases were recorded in Cebu, said Dr. Ella Abellanosa Tac-an of DOH-7 and 80-88 percent of those tested are from Cebu City.

Dr. Tac-an said that in Cebu, HIV transmission is caused by intravenous sharing of needles among drug users and unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV/AIDS infected partner.

“There is still no cure for HIV/ AIDS. Prevention is still the best and for those early detected cases, it is advisable to really see your doctor, take medicines to minimize retrogression of the disease,” Dr. Tac-an added.

According to Wilfredo Salgado, HIV focal of the Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO) those with high- risk sexual behavior better undergo appropriate medical tests.

Salgado said high incidence of HIV/ AIDS cases are mostly found in highly urbanized centers like the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

“The statistics come from those who submitted for tests. We know there are still many unaccounted HIV/AIDS cases in the province because the stigma is till there. Many are ashamed or still afraid to know they have acquired the disease,” Salgado added.

Salgado is calling on individuals, male or female, with risky sexual behavior to undergo free HIV/AIDS testing and health counselling, which are available at the provincial governmentoperated hospitals in Bogo City, Carcar, Danao, Bantayan District Hospital, Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital and at the Provincial Health Office.

Because of the alarming rate of HIV cases in Cebu, various stakeholders called on local government units in the province to organize the Local AIDS Council (LAC) through a series of forums in February, March and April this year in Cebu City, Carcar City and in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island respectively.

“To drive home the point that we can do something at the local level, that we don’t have to wait for the national government to solve the HIV/ AIDS problem,” said Greegy Senados, media officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is helping the province to conduct information and awareness campaing on HIV-AIDS.

Senados said the organization of the LACs, which is being supported by the foundation, was launched in Albay, Ifugao, Benguet, Palawan and Cebu as priority areas because of the high incidence of HIV/AIDS cases in the said areas.

The LACs seek to coordinate, integrate and provide financial assistance to all plans, programs, activities for HIV/AIDS, STD prevention and control and other health-related cases at the local level.