‘Normalize’ HIV testing to curb HIV-AIDS spread, alarmed Davao city council appeals to public

DAVAO CITY—THE city council on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus has appealed to the public to “normalize” the HIV testing as those of the other baseline medical tests conducted periodically on individuals.

The appeal was issued as the city and the Davao Region saw as alarming the number of infections of the HIV, which causes the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The City AIDS Council said that normalizing the HIV testing would likely prevent the spread of HIV-AIDS.

Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, head of the Reproductive Health and

Wellness Center (RHWC) said “treatment begins in testing.”

“We are trying to promote the test, in fact, we have differentiated service delivery in terms of testing.

ere is the facility-based testing, community-based screening, and the option of self-testing,” said

Also, she added, there is also the never-ending battle against the stigma on HIV and AIDS “as there are still a lot of people scared of getting tested.”

“Cultural factors also affect people’s acceptance of testing and treatment,” she said.

“Get tested and always use protection during intercourse. Proper reproductive health education and early detection are also advised. HIV tests are free in government testing centers along with pre-testing and post-testing counseling,” the council said.

Dr. Kris Trangia of the Department of Health Region XI said “it is important to know one’s status, regardless of whether it is negative or positive. She said that HIV tests should not be associated with risky behaviors, rather they should be treated similarly to baseline tests that the public takes.”

“We want to inform everyone that HIV testing is the same as those baseline tests that you can take for you to know your status because we are campaigning for the U=U. If your viral root is already undetectable, then it is already non-transmittable. By knowing your status, you will be able to know how to protect yourself and how to protect others,” Trangia said.

Trangia said that as of december last year, the Davao Region has a total of 7,066 recorded HIV cases, and out of this number, Davao City has 4,855 recorded HIV cases.

Currently, there are three treatment centers in the city, including the RHWC, the Southern Philippines Medical Center and the Davao Doctors Hospital. There are also multiple testing centers that the public may access by asking their nearest Reproductive Health Worker.

The support organization for persons with HIVAIDS, the Dawaw Mindanao Advocates Association, Inc., said that although external discrimination plays a big role, “self-stigma is also a huge factor.”

“Dealing with self-stigma or internal discrimination, peer support groups for people living with HIV are tapped to help encourage them to undergo treatments or to get tested,” said DAWAW-MAAAI chairman, Manuel Velasco.