“Rampa Parlor” fights HIV
A GRASSROOT approach is being taken to address issues on Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-Aids).
Bootz Yabut Jr from the Rainbow Barracks said appointments with local beauty parlors in the city is being done in order to provide free HIV-Aids screening in a project dubbed as "Rampa Parlor".
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Yabut said they have reached 15 beauty parlors in Baguio City wanting to touch base with the LGBT community faster and making the visits as an avenue to promote safe sex by handing out free condoms and counselling.
Rainbow Barracks is a café resto-bar and stands as an organization for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in the city.
Yabut said “Interesado kaming tulungan ang aming mga kabigihan, hindi kami pumipili ng mga customer namin. You are welcome whether you are LGBT or straight.”
Yabut said they have tested roughly 2,600 people for HIVAids, from their parlor visits and HIV screening booths since 2015.
Fifty out of the 2,600 people screened tested HIV positive.
The DOH CAR reports there are a total of 34 HIV-Aids cases in the Cordillera Region from January to March. Baguio City has the most number of reported cases. It was reported earlier this May that the Philippines have 30 new HIV cases daily. An alarming 968 new cases reported March this year, making it the highest recorded cases of HIV-Aids since 1984.
Cherrie Caluza, a nurse, from the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Region (DOHCAR) said the predominant mode of transmission of HIV is among males who have sex with males.
In March 2017, 29 cases among those within the age range of 21-43 years in the Cordillera region. Most were male with 34 cases.
Louie Anne Mapa/ University of the Cordilleras Intern