50% of HIV patients refuse free services

The Department of Health (DOH) offers free services to treat victims of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but almost half of them do not avail of these services.

During a forum yesterday, DOH-7 Medical Officer Dr. Van Phillip Baton lamented that almost 50 percent of the people infected with HIV are hesitant to avail of the free services, like HIV testing, offered by DOH because of fear of getting criticized or condemned.

But he pointed out that this year, those who availed of the free services increased with the help of local government units (LGUs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), Bisdak Pride and other community-based organizations.

In Cebu City, there are more men than women infected with the virus due to male-to-male intercourse.

Baton revealed that from 1984 up to this year, there were 4,399 men and 375 women in Cebu City who were infected with the virus.

"No one should die because of AIDS. The only way to eliminate AIDS is through treatment but asa ang services if people don't access it?" Baton said.

He encouraged those who are sexually active to take the free treatment that DOH offers.

To commemorate those who died in the country due to HIV-AIDS since 1984, the Aids Candlelight Memorial Day Celebration is celebrated every third Sunday of May.