Condom use necessary vs. HIV spread

Condoms are now more needed in addressing the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than preventing unwanted pregnancies.

This was the assertion of Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial saying the country is now facing a bigger problem on HIV spread, especially among the youth, than in promoting family planning.

“In reality, we now have more youth having HIV in this country than women dying in child birth,” said Ubial in Zamboanga.

She noted how maternal mortality is currently pegged at about 2,000 only while HIV cases among the youth is already up to 4,000 as of last year.

“Before, we are using condoms as our number one intervention for safe motherhood. And we were able to attain success to a certain extent in terms of reducing maternal mortality,” said the health chief.

“If we do not do anything at all, if we just maintain our status quo, we will have more youth having HIV this year,” warned Ubial.

To note, condom use is part of the Department of Health (DOH)’s campaign versus HIV, aside from abstinence and being faithful.

Similarly, condom is one of the contraceptive tools being made available by the DOH as part of its reproductive health (RH) program.

Ubial issued the statement amid the continued opposition the DOH has been receiving in its plan to make condoms accessible to the youth in their schools.

The DOH is currently meeting with the Department of Education regarding the former’s proposed program to combat the spread of HIV among the youth. /